Road improvements, helipad en route to DI and Cainhoy

Thank you to The Daniel Island News for allowing me to provide this county update.

 

I am happy to report that because of the competent professional leadership of Berkeley County Supervisor Johnny Cribb and the cooperation of my colleagues on County Council, District 2 has some exciting upcoming developments.  

 

First, Seven Farms Drive will be repaved from the new roundabout at Daniel Island Drive to the I-526 ramp. Although the Daniel Island roads are not county-owned, we have worked cooperatively with the city and Councilwoman Marie Delcioppo to identify state funding through the County Transportation Committee to get this project done. We are having ongoing discussions regarding programmatically addressing resurfacing in District 2 and working with the responsible entities to make road maintenance a priority.

 

Second, I am optimistic that an additional EMS unit (a quick response vehicle) will be added to our zone to enhance EMS response time. The unit and budget implications have already been funded but there is a national shortage of EMS/paramedics that has prevented us from starting this unit to date. I will continue to work to get it on the streets with due haste and am advised by the administration that a plan is forthcoming.

 

Third, Phase 2 widening of Clements Ferry Road has been going exceedingly well. This widening is made possible due to the penny sales tax. Although Phase 1 was a poster child for poorly managed road projects, Phase 2, which is county-managed, has been the opposite. I look forward to the quality-of-life improvement it will have on so many in District 2.

 

Finally, as part of my pledge to you to focus on public safety and emergency services, county council unanimously approved my budgetary request for a helipad on Daniel Island. Over the past few years, we have painfully learned that the bridges that service Daniel Island can shut down for major structural reasons, tarps, accidents, or just from brake lights. If one of our neighbors is having a stroke or other life-threatening event, we need to be able to get them to a hospital. Thanks to the input of many on the island and the cooperation of the community association, I am pleased that we will be announcing a location for the helipad in short order. Stay tuned!

 

As always, thank you for the opportunity to serve.