HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WMBF) – Atlantic Collegiate Academy is in the middle of its first year of operation and while neighbors say they welcome the new school, they’re frustrated with infrastructure concerns they say have gone unaddressed.
“We’re not any further than we were in August,” said Felicia Soto, who lives near the school. “How do you open a school when the infrastructure has not been done?”
Soto said several concerns have developed over the past few months. The first being inconsistent speed limit signs.
“This road has become a raceway,” said Soto. “We have young drivers. These kids, let’s be fair, this is their first time behind the wheel, and we have some concerns that, God forbid, something is going to happen.”
Meanwhile, the intersection of Highway 90 and Bear Bluff Road where the school is located has been under construction for months.
ACA Principal Mike Lorenz said the school is paying to have the intersection redone, including adding turn lanes. Lorenz also said there’s been some mixed messaging when it comes to speed limit signage.
While an SCDOT spokesperson told WMBF News the signs are the school contractor’s responsibility, Lorenz said that hasn’t been as clear.
“I just found out today that they’re gonna put up another sign to reduce the speed on Bear Bluff Road. So hopefully that will happen very soon, but [I] could not get a confirmed date of when they’re putting in those signs,” said Lorenz.
Neighbors like Soto said they’re frustrated with what they call a lack of communication about who is responsible for completing these projects, and just hope something gets done soon.
“If it is the responsibility of the school to get all of these projects done and they’re not, what part does SCDOT play in mandating that this is done in a timely manner?” she said.
Regarding the intersection between Highway 90 and Bear Bluff Road, Lorenz said he’s been told contractors cannot lay asphalt in temperatures below 50 degrees.
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