Having sat in traffic fairly consistently for most of the past decade trying to get on and off of Johns Island, I was happy to see Charleston County Council move ahead with progress on funding for the Stono Bridge extension of Interstate 526.

While the increasing cost of the project has been in the forefront (the increase primarily is due to past governmental dithering), the cost of doing nothing has been barely mentioned.

Notably unaddressed in comments concerning this project are the ongoing and increasing costs to property and human life due to accidents from traffic conditions as well as the value of time lost by drivers stuck in traffic.

Accidents on the bridges or approaches result in a near-paralysis for island access and egress.

Casual trips around Johns Island reveal numerous housing and commercial space projects in progress.

In concert with the I-526 project, the rehab of the Johns Island roads, some of which approach standards of developing countries, needs to be addressed.

A quick calculation indicates that every trip I make to West Ashley, the Charleston International Airport or North Charleston costs roughly $4 more than if there was a bridge.

To me, this suggests a toll, like the one on Hilton Head, could help address funding.

I appreciate the votes of council members who have chosen not to just stick their heads in the sand hoping the problem goes away.

JOSEPH CARASTRO IV

Johns Island

Letters to the editor can be a maximum of 250 words and are subject to editing for clarity, tone and libel. They must carry the writer’s name and address for publication and a daytime telephone number for verification.

To send a letter by mail, the new address is: Letters to the Editor, 148 Williman St., Charleston, SC 29403. Letters also can be emailed to letters@postandcourier.com.

Are you getting our weekly opinion newsletter? Go to postandcourier.com, select “Newsletters,” and scroll down to the bottom for “Opinion” to sign up.