Sen. Ray Cleary weighs in on Murrells Inlet turn lane

Posted on June 18, 2009 
Filed Under News

Sen. Ray Cleary of Murrells Inlet said he did not express his support for a turn lane in Murrells Inlet, and has received many calls opposing the construction of the project just south of Bellamy Drive.

The lane, which will lead to a newly constructed Palmetto Heritag bank on U.S. 17 South, will receive $85,000 from the County Transportation Committee.

Another $50,000 has been pledged from Palmetto Heritage Bank to build the lane, but the money has not been received by the S.C. Department of Transportation.
The project has met the requirements set by the S.C. Department of Transportation, said Dennis Townsend, project director in District Five.

The Sun News
Residents have opposed the lane, since they believe it will cause safety problems in that area, which is located near the entrance to Woodside Village Shopping Center.

In a letter written to state transportation officials, Cleary states that he was not consulted about his views on the turn lane.

Sen. Yancey McGill, D-Kingstree, did write a letter indicating that he was asking for the turn lane, on behalf of the local legislative delegation.

“The location is in Murrells Inlet and the issue of safety is the question,” Cleary wrote. “I have never contacted SCDOT on this issue and wish to be clear that SCDOT will be totally responsible for future problems if this does become a safety issue. Since I have a petition from over 1000 people for a traffic light near there, which is not being approved, this also must not be needed in the future.

“In the past, I have brought interested parties with SCDOT officials, including the Highway Commissioner, and local elected county officials to resolve problems. Unfortunately, this did not occur at all in this area, my district. Representative Vida Miller was also not involved in the process.”

blog counter