Letter: First, study traffic for USCB campus

During the 2014 mayoral election, the Packet reported that Bennett questioned more development near Sea Pines Circle without a traffic study. He said, "No large-scale development should proceed before we know traffic impacts."

On May 8, 2015, Mayor Bennett declared the USCB project a done deal without the traffic study being completed.

The circle is not the only traffic issue that hasn't been fully studied. Assuming 200 hospitality management students will be taking classes both on the island, for their hospitality program, and at the U.S. 278 campus for their other college classes, we are looking at as many as 400 one-way trips on a highway that the Packet says doubles as a city street.

Throw in more trips for people who teach at, work at and maintain the college.

The distance between the campuses is 21 miles and takes at least 30 minutes to drive. We are looking at students and teachers driving numerous 42-mile round trips. The circle, and U.S. 278, particularly the island bridge, will become more clogged.

Plans do not call for student housing on the island campus. That leaves commuting. There is a marvelous campus on U.S. 278 with new housing and room to expand.

John Dreyer

This story was originally published January 30, 2016 at 9:21 PM with the headline "Letter: First, study traffic for USCB campus."