Some residents upset over new traffic light outside Carolina Forest High

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WMBF) - A long demanded traffic light is now up and running at one Horry County school intersection, but some parents claim hasn’t solved all the issues they thought it would.

Back in September parents told WMBF News, they begged both county leaders and school leaders for a new traffic light in front of Carolina Forest High School.

Parents said traffic backups in front of the school were problematic and they were worried for student’s safety.

Horry County officials explained the traffic light was installed and placed into operation during the school district’s Christmas break. They said this year-long project also included widening the school’s driveway.

Some parents stated they’re thankful for this light, and want to see more lights like this in front of other schools throughout the county. Other parents claimed the light wasn’t enough.

“Well, now that they put up this traffic light, this light here, the traffic is a lot better. But authorities took a long time to make it happen,” one parent said.

The county said they hoped the signal would end a nightmare on the roads, but for some, it’s simply started another one.

“They park all the way down Gardner Lacy, Postal Way. They wrap around the corner of Postal Way. I mean, it’s like crazy,” Janet Glace said.

Horry County Schools spokesperson Lisa Bourcier said the school paid over $135,000 throughout the process of installing the new light.

This includes the work we had to do on our own (survey, utility relocates, new gate, new sidewalk, and electrical) and the amount we paid to Horry County for the work they did on widening our entrance,” Bourcier said. “The county paid for the signal itself.”

She added traffic concerns are analyzed on a case-by-case basis.

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