We, the undersigned residents of the Nexton community in Summerville, SC, call upon Berkely County and the SCDOT to immediately install traffic signals at heavily travelled intersections along Brighton and Nexton Parkways.

Historically, South Carolina has one of the highest mileage death rates of any state in the nation. On average, there are three people killed and nine people severely injured each day in vehicle crashes in our state.

As residents of Nexton and commuters who utilize Nexton and Brighton Parkways on a daily basis, there have been an alarming number of accidents along both of these Parkways. Some of these accidents have been deadly and life changing. These accidents are not just statistics. They are neighbors, friends and family members whose lives have been disrupted, sometimes tragically, due to poor traffic management.

According to the South Carolina Dept of Public Safety, the 2023 estimated average daily traffic (AADT) on Nexton Parkway alone was 81,300 (this does not include Brighton Parway)! This is the 2nd highest estimate in all of Berkeley County yet these parkways are void of the traffic controls needed to keep our commuters & community safe.

Equally alarming is the fact that according to the SCDOT website, as of June 2024, there are no current plans to improve either parkway even though data from the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) indicates that intersections without traffic signals are more likely to experience accidents than those with signals.

The current lack of appropriate traffic controls at the numerous intersections along both parkways makes these journeys precarious and dangerous for every commuter; especially for those living in Nexton (these intersections are the only access points out of the neighborhood).

There are currently only two traffic lights controlling the estimated 80K vehicles that access these parkways daily: one at Brighton & Nexton Parkway and one at Nexton Parkway and State Road. All other points are controlled merely by a stop sign. Any vehicle trying to access either parkway from a side road is confronted with non-stop traffic as well as turn lanes that block a commuters view of oncoming traffic. With a speed limit of 45mph along the majority of the parkway, vehicles more often than not travel at speeds in excess of 50mph. With the current growth along these two parkways, these roads will only become more densely travelled increasing an already dangerous situation.

According to the Nexton website, the following is just a sampling of what is coming along the Nexton & Brighton Parkways (adding to an already heavily travelled area):

The Hub at Nexton added 88,000 square feet of office, retail, and restaurant space.

Brighton Court: Two additional multi-tenant buildings were added.

Downtown Nexton: Broke ground on Atelier Downtown Nexton office project.

Woodfield Development nears completion of 304 apartments.

Broke ground on 324 market-rate apartments.

Established co-working and office facilities.

The Pickle Bar opened.

Broke ground for The Goddard School daycare, HYLO Fitness, GoDog, Stretch Zone and Pinnacle Bank.

492 homes sold in four residential villages including Del Webb Charleston, North Creek Village, Brighton Park Village and Midtown.

Nexton celebrated the 2,800 total home sale milestone.

Brookfield Residential was added to the community’s builder program to build new townhomes.

Builder unveiled a new 55+ neighborhood of homes opening of its first homes and model home in December.

Nexton Middle School, a new fifth through eighth grade Berkeley County middle school, broke ground in December with a planned opening in 2026.

Page’s Okra Grill opened in January 2024.

Brookfield Residential’s model townhome and first homes will open to the public in February.

Del Webb Nexton will break ground on indoor and outdoor pickleball courts, a large gymnasium and restaurant.

Harris Teeter (opened) and Publix grocery store will open.

Dayfield Park, a new commercial property featuring office space and residential options, as well as retail and service providers will open.

Downtown Nexton: The first phase of the Lofts and Atelier Downtown Nexton will be completed in 2024.

Berkeley County Park to open in 2024.

Future MUSC Hospital

Broke ground for 7-Eleven/gas station & grade school

It's time to address this issue! Traffic lights serve a crucial role in effectively managing traffic, reducing the speed of vehicles, and most importantly, minimizing road accidents. By installing traffic lights at specific intersections along Brighton & Nexton Parkways, we can enhance road safety for commuters and pedestrians alike.

It is SCDOT’s responsibility—via federal funding—to identify and correct high crash locations and/or crash patterns on all public roadways through infrastructure related improvements.

Therefore, we, the undersigned, urgently call upon the Berkeley County government and SCDOT to prioritize the installation of traffic lights at these critical intersections. Let us transform the fastest growing neighborhood in Berkeley County and make these access points--Brighton & Nexton Parkways--into safer avenues for all.

Your signature can save lives. Please sign the petition.

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