Tram/Beatty bridge proposal must be denied | The State

The Carolina Crossroads plan to improve “Malfunction Junction” is SCDOT’s largest infrastructure project in South Carolina history and estimated to cost roughly $1.5 billion. It promises to be a massive improvement to the I-26, I-20 and I-126 interchanges and will affect many residents and commuters for years during construction. Residents look forward to its successful completion.

An added feature of this plan is a proposed overpass of I-26, connecting Tram Road to Beatty Road. This plan is to ease the burden of travelers who wish to connect from Broad River Road to St. Andrews Road. Unfortunately, Tram Road is the “Main Street” for residents of Whitehall. The idea is appalling to residents for many reasons: increased traffic, increased crime and roads that are already so degraded that weaving and dodging potholes is a way of life.

This connector bridge is an issue that has galvanized Whitehall and the surrounding community. We have experienced the creep of suburban blight but always felt that we, and nearby subdivisions, are oases of a sort within the St. Andrews area. This overpass proposal has created a great deal of alarm and anguish and a sense of urgency that this Tram/Beatty bridge must be denied.

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Technical colleges boost SC’s workforce

The results of the WalletHub study concerning the S.C.technical colleges are questionable. Having taught in the system at Midlands Technical College for 24 years, I am convinced that these colleges are not the worst in the country! The tech system is in fact a blessing to the workforce in South Carolina.

Programs train technicians in many fields as in health professions like medical laboratory technicians, nurses, pharmacy technicians, respiratory therapists and dental hygienists.

Degrees are available in computer science, engineering, agriculture, business and many others. All programs provide academic information as well as on-hand technical experience so that graduates are employable as soon as programs are completed.

With the associate degree, a student may transfer to a four-year college to pursue a bachelor’s degree. Also, many jobs require certification so there are short courses offered for jobs like photography, plumbing, electrical specialties, welding and others.

Perhaps an on-site visit for another study group is in order.

Ethanol isn’t why we spend so much on gas

The letter “Ethanol mandate hurts S.C., environment” got one thing right: We should not be using agricultural land to grow corn to turn into fuel in our cars. Unfortunately, the writer repeated a myth that ethanol is corrosive and bad for small engines, which was true before engines were designed to handle ethanol.

The real issue the author mentions but fails to address is the fuel consumption of an average person living the United States. If we are really concerned about the amount of money spent on fuel, which the author argues is too much because of ethanol subsidies, then we should demand better fuel standards from our auto industries. Ironically, that is exactly the opposite of what the Trump administration has done recently.

Alternatively, people who are concerned about how much they spend on fuel should consider other choices like electric cars or carpooling or commuting by bicycle or even taking a city bus. Columbia has just invested in new buses, and they are pretty nice. So instead of invoking the bogey man of “taxes,” why not advocate for more sensible alternatives to high prices for inefficient fuels?

The State publishes a cross section of the letters we receive from South Carolinians in order to provide a forum for our community and also to allow our community to get a good look at itself, for good or bad. The letters represent the views of the letter writers, not necessarily of The State.