BEAUFORT, S.C. () — told you months ago about a curve in Beaufort that’s been considered ‘dangerous’ and a ‘safety concern’ by several residents in the area.

Residents took their complaints to the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT), who previously told no changes to the road would be made, but that’s now looking to change.

The Bellamy curve in Beaufort is a 90 degree turn in the road that’s caused cars to end up face first in the marsh, pedestrians to be struck walking on the sidewalk, and residents’ concerns to build.

“The car skidded, hit the curb, and then, well a split second later the car hit me,” said Chuck Richardson, who previously spoke with about a pedestrian accident he was involved in on the curve.

Richardson and his neighbor, Larry Kinghorn, both became more concerned after Richardson’s incident. They both previously sent letters of concern to SCDOT to drive for some changes to the roadway.

“It just seems to me like an easy thing for the DOT to do would be to put a guardrail on that curb that would keep the cars from going off, and it would be both protecting the passengers and the drivers of the cars, as well  as the pedestrians that are going around the curve,” Richardson said previously to .

also reached out to SCDOT to see if any additional safety measures would be put in place.

The state initially told and residents that no changes would be made, but recently, the City of Beaufort and SCDOT have been discussing what they can do to create a safer, calmer traffic pattern.

“On July 29, as a result of all of this, DOT decided to come to be heard and talked to some local government leaders. And we all met at the USCB campus because some of it involved the USCB student pedestrian traffic,” said Beaufort City Manager, Scott Marshall.

University of South Carolina Beaufort (USC) students walk the sidewalk next to the curve every day. Beaufort officials said this was a big push to update the roadway, with markings and additional signage.  

“There will be a striping plan that’s graduated hash marks and that will call attention to the fact that you are heading into a very sharp turn,” said Marshall. “As I understand it, there will also be some signage that’s associated with that striping plan that will also alert drivers to the fact that they are about to enter a very sharp curve.”

Marshall said rumble strips were initially discussed as an added safety measure, but input from the community convinced them otherwise.

“Upon further reflection and getting some further input from people, the noise that’s created from rumble strips, I think would be too disruptive to the local neighborhood just around the corner and especially Pigeon Point,” said Marshall.

SCDOT said they are working closely with the city to make the current roadway improvements. They are also working together to discuss other possible improvements in the future.