It's the tale of two plans for Johns Island. Charleston City and County leaders each with their own vision for the future of Maybank Highway, each designed to ease congestion. The two councils will need to agree on a final plan, if they both want to be happy. The future of Maybank Highway will be funded by a portion of the half cent sales tax which will be spent at County Council's discretion.

There's one way in and one way out.

"It's just so busy right here and people are flying by," said Kenneth Bellamy.

The stop and go seems to never go away.

"Wider would be fantastic.  If we could get wider that would relieve some of it.  If they could cut another road," said Bellamy.

Both ideas are on the table. County Council had approved enough funding to widen Maybank from two lanes to five, but city council said not so fast. Instead they asked for a study evaluating a network of roads, parallel to Maybank.

"It's the right thing to do. Johns Island is a huge treasure and we've got to act with it with great care," said Mayor Joe Riley (web|news|bio) .

The City's plan makes Maybank a pitchfork as it approaches River Road. Two additional two lane roads would move traffic away from the intersection and ease the backup. The idea takes growth in the next 20 years into account, it also plans for a grid-like street system to prevent grid-lock. The network would also allow residents to run around town, all while avoiding Maybank.

"Or maybe if there are more employment opportunities overtime on Johns Island, they might be able to walk or ride their bikes to work," said Christopher Morgan, a Senior City Planner.

County council members were impressed by the presentation but not ready to give the go ahead. Council members had several questions about how many acres the project would span and also what it would cost compared to the $30 million previously set aside.