SCAD families face delays getting to record-breaking graduation

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - While thousands of people celebrated the Savannah College of Art and Design’s graduation, others were rushing to get in with traffic congestion on the roadway and waterway.

Michael Hoblin, who earned an MFA in Graphic Design, said he made the difficult decision to skip the line at a Savannah Belles Ferry stop with his friends to get to the Savannah Convention Center before his name was called.

“I left my wife, my kids, my mom, and my dad and got on the ferry, and I just barely made it,” he said.

He thought getting to the stop an hour and a half early would help.

“I was actually the fourth person to cross the stage, and while I’m up there, I’m texting my wife just like, ‘Hey, I’m sorry, but you’re not going to see it, so here’s the link, see if you can watch it online.’ Just as soon as it started, it was over,” Hoblin said.

SCAD officials said they worked closely for months with their partners at the convention center, the City of Savannah, and the Savannah Police Department for an efficient and safe weekend.

WTOC is waiting to hear from the Chatham Area Transit to see if all ferries were operating every 10 minutes like normal. The free public transit is open to everyone, so people waiting in line to explore the city joined those in line in their robes.

It was picking people up and dropping them off at three locations along the river: the convention center, City Hall, and the Waving Girl Landing.

“I don’t know, I don’t think they should be recommending that everyone take the ferries because they make two stops,” said SCAD graduate Codie Cote.

Cote was one of the last people in her program to graduate.

“We got out pretty late, and there was like a line wrapped around the building for the ferry because we didn’t take a car,” Cote said.

For those who had a car, the South Carolina Department of Transportation said the U.S. 17 Widening Project is set to be finished at the end of July, which is good news for drivers in our area, but that didn’t help those trying to get off to Hutchinson Island in time.

SCDOT confirmed, however, that there were no lane closures over the weekend.

“As the project continues, motorists can expect temporary lane closures and traffic shifts. We encourage drivers to stay alert and pay attention to SCDOT crews in the area,” they wrote.

Cote’s mom suggested they commission the Georgia Queen because they could have fit everyone on that boat. WTOC did not look into that idea, but it’s a thought some had when looking down the riverfront as they waited for a ferry.

SCAD officials said they will continue working with their partners for next year’s graduation at the convention center.