Letter: Bluffton ‘planning’ neglected the future

Recently, a number of letters have been published complaining about the dangers and difficulties drivers face while navigating the traffic circle on Bluffton Parkway and Bluffton Road. Without a doubt, there is some truth to the concerns.

But why is this so, one asks? Poor design, poor drivers, too much traffic?

Unfortunately, and like so many other problems around town (parking also comes to mind), the town planner’s crystal ball only looked at the present and did not peek into the future to show what happens when hoped-for growth materializes.

A glimpse of this future will arrive in early summer when the Bluffton Parkway flyover opens and the traffic on Bluffton Parkway will increase up to 30 percent, according to Beaufort County engineers. While that may be good news for U.S. 278, it suggests the much-maligned circle could have to handle about 30 percent more vehicles.

Sounds like fun, does it not? Check your car insurance to see if it covers fender benders in the circle.

This story was originally published April 29, 2016 at 3:41 PM with the headline "Letter: Bluffton ‘planning’ neglected the future."