SUMMERVILLE, S.C. — Residents of the Ponds neighborhood in Summerville will soon see a temporary traffic signal installed at the intersection of Highway 17A and Village Ponds Drive, a move aimed at addressing safety concerns following a series of accidents in the area.
The project, approved in collaboration between Dorchester County and the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT), comes after years of frustration from residents about the dangers at the neighborhood's sole entrance and exit. Since construction began in 2007, the Ponds has grown significantly, now home to thousands of residents, with safety concerns mounting due to increased traffic.
Rick Price, a resident of the Ponds for over a decade, expressed relief that action is finally being taken. “The number of accidents, and the trouble getting in and out of here in the morning and evening, has been frustrating,” Price said. “But finally, after years of waiting, it’s gratifying to see something being addressed.”
According to Dorchester County and SCDOT data, there have been 24 crashes at the intersection since March 2020. The Dorchester County Council sent a letter to SCDOT on August 29 requesting the temporary signal as a stopgap measure to improve safety while a more permanent solution is developed.
State Representative Gary Brewer highlighted the importance of listening to community concerns. "Residents kept telling us about the accidents happening at this intersection," Brewer said. "In the meantime, we needed to find something to improve safety at their main entrance."
SCDOT Deputy Secretary for Engineering, Rob Perry, noted that signalization at this location was originally ruled out in 2006 due to inadequate spacing. However, despite efforts such as lowering speed limits and adding warning signs, crashes have continued, prompting the approval of the temporary signal.
"We’re relieved and appreciative of SCDOT’s decision to allow this temporary signal,” said Dorchester County Council Member Bill Hearn. “It’s been a long time coming."
The cost of the temporary light is estimated between $250,000 and $300,000, with funding fully provided by Dorchester County. While the signal will serve as a temporary solution, plans are in place for a more permanent fix, including a connecting road between Headwaters Drive and Linger Longer Drive, as well as the construction of a roundabout at the current entrance.
A new elementary school planned for the neighborhood is expected to increase traffic, making the need for improved infrastructure even more urgent.
"This will alleviate the immediate safety concerns," Hearn said, "but we’re also working on long-term solutions that will address the growing needs of the community."
As work on the temporary signal begins, residents like Price remain cautiously optimistic. “This is all good, but until I see that light up and operational, I’ll reserve my celebrations,” he said.
Representative Brewer emphasized that this progress demonstrates the value of collaboration. "This is what cutting through red tape looks like,” he said. “It’s a big win for everyone involved and will greatly improve safety for our community."
The timeline for the signal's installation is not yet confirmed, but the process is already underway.
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