BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCIV) — Berkeley County leaders are asking for public feedback on proposed improvements to intersections along Black Tom Road Extension, as officials say the area has become a growing concern for both safety and traffic flow.
Berkeley County Supervisor Johnny Cribb said the intersections have been an issue “for some time” and were included in the county’s 2022 transportation referendum. He said the focus now is on finding a design that works — not just one that people like.
“We want something that’s safe and efficient,” Cribb said. “Not necessarily what people prefer, but what works best.”
Cribb said the public meeting is meant to help people understand what’s being proposed and how it could function — including a potential three-lane roundabout design.
“This is an opportunity for folks to come out, ask questions, and see how this could work,” he said. “The people who drive this every day know it best.”
READ MORE | Berkeley County Schools break ground on new school, Black Tom Road traffic may worsen
While the project is still in the design phase, county leaders say they are trying to move it forward as quickly as possible. Cribb said construction could begin as early as 2027, with work expected to take about 12 to 18 months.
For people who live nearby, the need for improvements is nothing new.
“It’s grown tremendously,” said Jay Hill, who lives near Black Tom Road. “Traffic has just gotten worse and worse over the years.”
Hill said development in the area — especially around Cane Bay — has added more cars to roads that were never designed to handle that kind of volume.
“It’s bumper to bumper at times,” he said. “And people are trying to get around that however they can.”
READ MORE | Debate over raised medians from Folly Road safety improvement plan grows
Hill said he supports part of the county’s plan — particularly a roundabout at Black Tom Road and Black Tom Road Extension — but isn’t convinced another one is needed at Cooper Store Road.
“One of those intersections definitely needs something,” Hill said. “The other one — I’m not so sure.”
He said traffic backups have become frustrating enough that he sometimes changes his route entirely to avoid the area.
“I’ll go out of my way just so I don’t have to deal with it,” he said.
Hill also said while he appreciates the county asking for input, he believes infrastructure should come before development — not after.
“You’ve got to build the roads before you build all these houses,” he said.
Still, he said even with the inconvenience of construction, he would rather see improvements move forward.
“I’d rather deal with the headache now than keep dealing with this,” Hill said.
The discussion around Black Tom Road highlights a broader challenge across Berkeley County — how to keep infrastructure from falling behind rapid growth. For now, county leaders say they’re listening — and residents are making clear they want solutions that match how much the area has changed.
