The Bowman Road intersection


looking north, as it looks now (left) and as it will look at the completion of construction (right).


highway and the two frontage roads. While they’ll look nicer than the cur- rent shoulder and median edges, they also will improve safety and drainage, alleviating the deep puddles that now appear during heavy rains. Te median between the north- bound and southbound lanes will be landscaped with plants, hedges and trees, and street lighting there will be enhanced. Te green spaces between the highway and the frontage roads also will have new grass, plants and trees. Te major intersections with


Johnnie Dodds Boulevard are be- ing improved with upgraded traffic lights and pedestrian crosswalks at Magrath Darby Boulevard, Mathis Ferry Road/Houston Northcutt Boulevard, Shelmore Boulevard and Anna Knapp Boulevard. Dedicated turn lanes are being installed in some locations where they don’t cur- rently exist, with the option of add- ing a second lane off Johnnie Dodds onto Anna Knapp and Shelmore if they are needed in the future. Te frontage roads on both sides of the highway are being widened, and, along with the current one-lane in each direction for automobiles, marked bicycle lanes and sidewalks are planned. New traffic lights are be- ing installed where East Frontage Road intersects with Houston Northcutt Boulevard. Along West Frontage Road, intersections at Mathis Ferry,


Anna Knapp and Bowman are get- ting new traffic signals. In addition to making it safer to


cross over and make left turns at these Frontage Road intersections, the traffic


If you think the


view of the Ravenel is dramatic now, imagine what it will look like from the new overpass.


signals’ timing will be coordinated with those on Johnnie Dodds to help traffic flow more smoothly. Te biggest change, both visually and in project scope, is the addition of a bridge. Johnnie Dodds Boule- vard is being elevated above Bowman Road, alleviating backups on both roads during heavy travel times. If you think the view of the Ravenel is dramatic now, imagine what it will look like from the new overpass. Bowman Road is being widened


to five lanes to where it crosses Shem Creek, and a new bridge will be constructed over the creek, with sidewalks and drainage improve- ments. On the west side of Johnnie


Dodds, Bowman is being widened, and an improved intersection will be added at Hospital Drive. On both sides, traffic lights will be installed where the new offramps from John- nie Dodds connect to Bowman. It all sound very complicated, but


it’s worth the temporary inconve- nience. With today’s configuration, one car turning left onto Johnnie Dodds Boulevard from Bowman Road during rush hour can trigger a light change that backs up traffic on the main thoroughfare for 50 or more other vehicles. While rumors that you’ll be able


to travel along Johnnie Dodds from the Ravenel to I-526 without stopping at a single light are false, congestion on the bridge will be lessened. Te standstill at Bowman Road will be gone. Businesses along the frontage roads will benefit from increased foot traffic with the addi- tion of sidewalks and landscaping. And we’ll all enjoy the improved view of the thoroughfare from our new flyway 30-feet above Bowman. Mount Pleasant residents who would like to know more about the project, view a model of the Bowman overpass or see aerial photographs of the design plans for the entire U.S. Highway 17 expansion are welcome at the project information office at 1603 N. Highway 17, at the corner of Hungryneck Boulevard. Ed Barbee,


16 www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.iLoveMountPleasant.com | www.MountPleasantNeighborhoods.com


Left: Coleman-Snow Consultants. Right: Town of Mount Pleasant


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