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Saw a person comment in the recent City Paper. They said that huge vacant, ugly area off I-26 between Cosgrove and downtown that borders the Ashley River, whatever development they have for it, should be scrapped. It should ALL be made into parking. Multiple large parking garages. Thousands of spaces.
Then, built a mini-light rail train from that lot, parallel to 26, into downtown, and back. The train would transport all those people to downtown, and all those cars wouldn't be there. Then, they can close the main touristy areas to cars and make it pedestrian only, like the Market, King's shopping area, Meeting. Redo the streets into the traditional cobblestone. Have street festivals. Allow bikes. It would be a wonderful change.
Not really, the infrastructure needed to run light rail through downtown would do more damage than good to the city, also why park there when they can just walk over from parking lots near the hospital district.
Was just looking on Google Earth, what's the new building next to the Hospital in Mt. Pleasant? The one off 526 that is.
Last edited by Ledmonkey; 05-28-2014 at 03:22 PM..
It would certainly be a good idea to get the same guys who did the Ravenel Bridge to do this project, seeing as they got the bridge done under-budget and ahead of time.
It would certainly be a good idea to get the same guys who did the Ravenel Bridge to do this project, seeing as they got the bridge done under-budget and ahead of time.
A major construction project done ahead of time AND under budget? I didn't know such a thing existed in 21st century America.
Seriously though, I didn't know that, and its quite impressive...
I don't think they need to "nix 526", in fact, that needs to be greatly expanded in all areas IMO. 26 definitely needs attention though (person who sits in 26 traffic every single day).
Its even more depressing, because I-26 improvements were just being wrapped up when I moved here in 2011. Its like they couldn't foresee the current and inevitable traffic increases? My wife and I still don't get that lack of long term planning with projects around here.
What area do they wish to fix up on I-26? There isn't much room to expand without having to build new over passes and it would require redoing quite a few off/on ramps including the I-526/I-26 intersection, which will cost almost 200 Million by itself. I'm not saying we don't need to fix I-26 but i am saying the thought that there is more than enough money isn't exactly true.
@JRadV It was a year ahead of schedule not sure how far under budget though.
Also just realized that fix26 is run by the coastal conservation league.... why am i even surprised.
Well the 526/26 intersection is already on the table to be included in the 526 expansion project (not the 526 completion project, that's a different one) for completion in 2020. But that doesn't really tackle the traffic on 26 regardless. I've long loved the idea of light commuter rail, but the more I think about it the more it makes sense. It only makes sense if you get dropped off at a walkable distance from your destination (maybe biking distance, but the focus should be walking). Line St. downtown might be great, but good luck getting a rail line down there. It does nothing for anyone working at Bosch, the Navy Yard or on Daniel Island, let alone Mt. Pleasant, JI, or WA. Do you think the cost/benefit is there if the rail just goes from 17A to Montague?
Unfortunately, the only best bet for commuter rail is if it completely traced the 26, 526, 17 infrastructure, meaning loop at 17A (or better yet, to plan ahead, maybe go up close to Jedburg), come down to the airport, split off into the west route: around 526, Savannah highway and up 26; and the east route: around 526, up 17, up 26.
Impossible, yes, but is anything else even close to being cost effective? I could be wrong, but just my thoughts.
Subway system! they might be able to get it to work..... granted i doubt the tech is available or cost effective at the moment.
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