I'm writing in response to The Post and Courier's editorial regarding U.S. Highway 17 buffers.

An Aug. 24 editorial states that the proposed 100-foot buffers designed to protect the environment on U.S. 17 between Gardens Corner in Beaufort County and Jacksonboro in Colleton County are "required to expedite the widening project by keeping project funding down."

I suggest that purchasing buffers beyond the needed right of way should not be part of the funding the S. C. Department of Transportation is seeking for the widening project. The editorial shifts the focus of attention on this project from highway safety and saving lives to protecting the environment.

Both are worthy points and everything possible should be done to mitigate the impact to this area in the ACE Basin. But the highest priority of this project is to improve the highway in an effort to end the unacceptably high rate of crashes, injuries and deaths that occur on these 22 miles of U.S. 17.

SCDOT is doing everything possible to secure funding for this vital safety project. The added burden of requiring SCDOT to purchase land for buffers is unreasonable.

Grants from sources outside the normal avenues for highway funding are a possibility. Property owners along U.S. 17 could consider donating land for the buffers where possible as a contribution to a life-saving project.

If obtaining the desired 100-foot buffers is not feasible, limiting access to these areas is a potential option. Discussions could be held by interested local parties as to how to set these restrictions.

The editorial also pointed to the bridge replacement project on the Combahee River that has funding in place in the amount of $13.3 million and the improvement of a causeway that is located just north of the Combahee River Bridge.

It's very important to understand that the bridge and the causeway are two distinct projects. The issue related to the causeway that is currently under consideration is whether to widen the existing lanes from two lanes to four, by adding more fill dirt to accomplish the widening, or by building a bridge adjacent to the causeway.

Adding a bridge to the causeway would cost $38.5 million. Expanding die fill dirt on the existing causeway to add two lanes would cost $8.3 million. Widening the existing causeway makes sense. But it needs to be very clear, that this choice does not make an extra $30 million available for the project, as no money has been budgeted for the causeway. There is no $30 million to put in the bank.

Seeking the financing that SCDOT needs for the widening is tough enough. Reducing the needed funds by $30 million is good fiscal management. Even if the money for this project was in the bank today. SCDOT should not be spending highway dollars for the purchase of buffers.

The total cost of this project is estimated to be $150 million for the widening alone. Any savings that are realized should go toward making U.S. 17 a safer highway.

It should be noted that the replacement of the Combahee River bridge is progressing, regardless of whether the causeway is widened with fill dirt or by a new bridge.

Every means possible should be found to protect and manage the natural areas adjacent to the highway. But the goal is to save lives.

Too many lives have been lost on this highway. The families of the victims continue to grieve months and years after their loss, and all of us will suffer with each tragic crash. Let's not forget safety is what widening U.S. 17 is about.

REP. CATHERINE CEIPS

House District 124

1207 Bay St.

Beaufort