Depending on the segment of the road, you will see different levels of development. From Folly Road to Harborview Road's ramp onto the James Island connector, Harborview has four lanes. Past the connector to its end at Fort Johnson Road, Harborview has mostly two lanes with pockets of development shrouded by large oak trees and bounded by an expansive view of Charleston Harbor.
It is Harborview's two-lane portion that generates the most complaints from drivers. In particular, drivers are voicing concerns about the safety of the road's intersection with North Shore Drive.
Michael Hill, a 20-year resident of James Island, wrote to complain about two common practices that occur along Harborview, especially at its intersection with North Shore Drive.
Because so many side streets empty onto Harborview with no other main thoroughfare in the immediate area, traffic frequently backs up on these streets. Drivers look for the slightest break in traffic to sneak in, with lapses in judgment often leading to accidents.
Sometimes, cars already on Harborview will slow down to let waiting cars enter, which is bad for the smooth flow of traffic, Hill said.
Another frequent Harborview Road driver, Charleston City Councilman Bob George, also has a problem with traffic. Earlier this month, he made a formal request to the state Department of Transportation to have a study conducted for a stoplight at the intersection of Harborview Road and North Shore Drive.
He wrote: "The no action alternative is no longer an option; improvements must be implemented to mitigate the problem. A light would prevent cars from cutting out into traffic."
He cites a study conducted several years ago that called for a concrete median to be placed in the middle of the road to prevent drivers on North Shore Drive from making left turns.
But residents of neighboring streets feared traffic would trickle over to their streets. At the last minute, with money to build and the plans in hand, a decision was made to leave the North Shore Drive and Harborview Road intersection alone.
"We are back at ground zero," George said, "and traffic at that intersection still is a chronic problem."
James Island Councilman Joe Qualey agrees with George. He said residents again need to be brought together to discuss traffic.
DOT will be doing its part and taking a look at the problem, said Robert Clark, district engineer administrator. He said DOT will conduct a traffic study on that intersection in about a month. Based on such factors as traffic counts during peak times of travel, the intersection's accident history and traffic generated by local schools, DOT will decide whether a light should be installed.
Clark said that with the amount of traffic at the intersection, it almost would be a prerequisite to accept the installation of a light and add turn lanes to both sides of North Shore Drive.
READER QUESTION: Peggy and Jack Cooper called to ask about another James Island intersection: Folly and Camp roads. The couple inquired whether a right-turn lane from Camp Road onto Folly Road would be extended. The answer is no. The turn lane recently was installed, but the lane stops at the Camp Road entrance to Walgreens and will not be extended. It is a similar situation on the opposite side of Camp Road, where there are too many cars waiting to turn right. That forces drivers to sit in the center lane and miss their opportunity to turn.
The couple also said flooding is a problem on Camp Road in front of the Walgreens. That intersection is part of a drainage study being conducted by the Charleston County Public Works Department.