It looks like the Route 278 - Independent Engineering Review may be approved soon.

But some Politicians are trying to gut the analysis by excluding words to assure that every alternative is measured by the same Fair Yardstick. Those words include:

“The scope of the evaluation is from the Moss Creek lights to an efficient connection with the Cross-Island Parkway.

The contractor shall evaluate, for all Corridor alternatives:

·       Estimated Total Cost: including construction, mitigation of concerns in Stoney, land acquisition, environmental mitigation, aesthetics, etc.

·       Performance: End-End delay, Capacity at a given service level - LOS (as determined by computer simulation)

·       Safety Analysis (vehicle, bike, pedestrian)

·       Issues: Pros, Cons”

Those words assure that Councils and the Public learn ALL the facts about ALL the alternatives before anyone makes a decision. (SCDOT rejected a Freedom of Information Act request for some of this data in the past.)

Why would some Politicians not support those words?   Because they fear daylight or Fair Play?  Or, because it would hurt their pet plan?

If those words are not included at the start, there will be endless arguments later over missing data. And, the contractor will CHARGE EXTRA FOR ADDITIONS.

Furthermore, anyone could object saying the scales were stacked to hide facts. 

We need to contractually include the Fair Yardstick words into the work statement at the outset.

There is plenty of time for politics later after we get ALL the facts and data. 

Some on Town Council understand this. Please help convince the others. (See the list below.)

This will probably be decided at the November 17, 2020, Town Council meeting.

Thanks!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

John J. McCann, Mayor
Cell: 843-422-3607
Fax: 843-342-6825
Email: JohnM@hiltonheadislandsc.gov 

Marc A. Grant, Ward 1

Cell: 843-368-1436
Email: MarcG@hiltonheadislandsc.gov 

William (Bill) D. Harkins, Mayor Pro-T em, Ward 2
Cell: 843-301-0254
Fax: 843-681-4689
Email: WilliamH@hiltonheadislandsc.gov 

David Ames, Ward 3
Work: 843-686-3810
Cell: 843-816-2067
Email: DavidA@hiltonheadislandsc.gov 

Tamara Becker, Ward 4
Cell: 843-816-6372
Email: TamaraB@hiltonheadislandsc.gov 

Thomas W. Lennox, Ward 5
Home: 843-363-5790
Email: TomL@hiltonheadislandsc.gov 

Glenn Stanford, Ward 6
Cell: 843-338-1238
Email: GlennS@hiltonheadislandsc.gov 

Senator Tom Davis

Email: tom@senatortomdavis.com