Congressman Sanford Stands Up for 'Death Zone' Trees

Original article by Shawn Drury, Columbia Patch

Anyone who's driven to the Lowcountry via I-26 knows that things can get a little dicey out there and have come to expect to see an accident or two along the way.

SCDOT officials say that one of the main reasons for the accidents are the tree-lined medians between I-95 and Summerville, so it came up with a plan to remove them. The area has been dubbed as the "Death Zone." 

Local officials held a hearing on the matter and Rep. Mark Sanford was among those who voiced opposition to removing the trees.

"How we look and feel as a region is important," said Sanford told the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments, according to a story from WCIV. Sanford said that he's heard industry leaders tell him how important the look of the area is to public perception.

State Sen. Larry Grooms also spoke on behalf of keeping the trees. 

SCDOT explored alternatives like guard rails or cable lines, but the Council rejected those. 

Instead, the Council opted to veto SCDOT's suggestions and ordered a study on the matter.

SCDOT said that since the issue is a matter of safety it is is federally funded.