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SUNDAY'S EDITORIAL
Clyburn will continue pursuit of lake
bridge
BY T&D STAFF
Sunday, February 11,
2007
~ the issue ~ Clyburn Connector bridge
~
Our opinion ~ Court case will be key in determining future of
project
It seems that just about everyone is taking a
wait-and-see attitude about the proposed Clyburn Connector bridge
that would create a second crossing over Lake Marion.
Most
recently, the bridge proposal championed by 6th District Congressman
James Clyburn took another shot when the S.C. Department of
Transportation failed to push forward with a completed application
for a water-quality permit and the S.C. Department of Health and
Environmental Control thus refused to issue such. Anything but
anxious to delve deeper into the controversy over the bridge, DOT
decided not to appeal and wants to be removed as a party to legal
action challenging the connector.
Clyburn, now the
third-ranking member of the U.S. House, contends DHEC’s rejection of
the permit was not based on the merits of the project but rather
DOT’s failure to make a complete application. He continues to push
for the three-mile bridge, which would be part of a new nine-mile
route connecting Lone Star in Calhoun County to Rimini in Sumter
County. Clyburn has been consistent in his contention that the key
to development of the area is such a connection, which along with
Interstate 95 would be the two crossings over the
lake.
Clyburn, who has a noteworthy voting record with
environmentalists, on the bridge issue has vehement opposition from
nearly every corner. From the governor to private groups, there is
argument that the bridge is a waste of money and serves to do more
environmental harm to Sparkleberry Swamp and surroundings than any
potential good could counteract.
The Southern Environmental
Law Center, acting on behalf of several environmental groups, filed
a lawsuit over the project, claiming an environmental impact
statement is incomplete. The statement is used as a basis for some
permit applications.
DOT has been consistent in not taking a
position on the connector. Most recently, the agency stated: “The
permitting process is funded 100 percent by federal money that
cannot be used for any other purpose. It is important to note that
no state funds are presently being used to further the development
of this federal congressional priority project.”
The outcome
of the lawsuit will determine the course for DOT, which would have
to maintain the bridge and highway.
It is no small issue –
and one that even Clyburn acknowledges now is in the hands of the
courts. “I, too, wait to see what the court has to
say.”
Until then, we suggest building the bridge could have a
positive economic impact if there is not corresponding environmental
damage. A second crossing for Lake Marion ultimately will be needed
in a developing state, but the need-vs.-cost debate is nonetheless
relevant. At $150 million, the connector is expensive – and well
could cost more. How soon positive economic development follows and
the maintenance costs associated with the bridge both would affect
the return on investment. Answers to those questions are anyone#’s
guess.
Clyburn has made securing the money a mission. If the
project is not stopped by a court ruling, we foresee him securing
the money and seeing the bridge project through to
fruition.
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Comments (2):
cb wrote on February 12, 2007 7:38 PM:"I agree with Tom! But what the heck,
we're just tax payers. (We also vote!)"
Tom wrote on February 11, 2007 10:26 AM:"From nowhere to nowhere for no reason
other than Clyburn's ego."
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