State of the Penny Offers a Look at Transportation’s Future in Richland County

County Celebrates Neighborhood Connectivity with Sunset Drive Upgrades

A recently finished Richland County Transportation Penny project promises to give safer passage to pedestrians and cyclists while also boosting community connectivity between River Drive and North Main Street in Columbia.

Residents and local officials gathered for a celebratory ribbon cutting Wednesday to mark the completion of a 5-foot-wide sidewalk along the north end of Sunset Drive, from River Drive to Elmhurst Road. The Sunset Drive Sidewalk project also includes enhancements to the roadway and improved curb and gutter, drainage systems, utilities and driveways.

The improvements to the 0.8-mile stretch of Sunset Drive “create connectivity for our neighbors here to get to businesses, restaurants and schools nearby,” said County Council Chairwoman Jesica Mackey. “With this new sidewalk, we do believe that you’ll see increased activity, but most importantly, safety.”

Sunset Drive connects several neighborhoods north of Columbia and is also close to Earlewood Park.

Mike Maloney, director of Public Works for Richland County, said the limited area for right-of-way on Sunset posed challenges for the sidewalk project, which began in 2024. The County ultimately acquired private property to allow room for construction, along with moving a water main and building shoring and retaining walls.

Funded by the Richland County Transportation Penny program, the project cost $5.2 million. For more information on ongoing Penny projects, visit RichlandPenny.com.

Transportation Upgrades to Affect Traffic Near Blythewood Road

Beginning in August, motorists who use Blythewood Road in Northeast Richland are asked to use extra caution because of ongoing road and highway projects. These events will temporarily shift traffic around the roadwork.

The most notable change is a reconfigured traffic pattern at the intersection of Blythewood and Community roads that will begin Monday, Aug. 11 and last through Sep. 30. The following traffic control measures will be put in place:

On Blythewood Road

  • Currently, westbound traffic on Blythewood Road that continues through the I-77 intersection curves slightly to the south. This through traffic will be re-routed to the north side of a new roundabout. This pattern is expected to last until the project is complete.
  • Currently, westbound traffic along Blythewood Road turning left onto Community Road curves slightly south. This pattern is expected to continue until Aug. 29.
  • Eastbound traffic will continue as currently configured; however, an additional right-turn lane will be added for traffic turning onto Community Road.

On Community Road

  • While Community Road remains closed to through traffic, a new traffic pattern will allow for Scout Motors-related traffic and traffic en route to Public Storage. From 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. Monday-Friday, there will be two southbound lanes of traffic and one northbound lane. The outside southbound lane will become a right-turn lane for Scout employees and contractors entering the Scout site. Drivers heading to Public Storage should remain in the left southbound lane.
  • Between 7 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, the Community Road pattern will shift back to a standard one southbound/one northbound lane to allow road upgrades to continue.
  • From 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, there will be two northbound lanes and one southbound lane. The outside lane is for traffic turning right (east) onto Blythewood Road, while the inside lane is for traffic turning left (west). 
  • After 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and on weekends, the Community Road pattern will shift back to a standard one southbound/one northbound lane to allow road upgrades to continue.

Alternate Routes

  • While roadwork is ongoing, drivers traveling southbound on University Parkway should take University Village Drive in order to access Blythewood Road. Alternatively, motorists should take Links Crossing Drive to Woodlander Drive, then turn left onto Syrup Mill Road.
  • With the southern portion of Community Road now closed, drivers should take Wilson Boulevard to Fulmer Road before turning onto Blythewood Road.

The traffic control measures are necessary to complete road-widening projects that also include a double-lane roundabout at the intersection of Blythewood and Community roads, and also at the entrance and exit of Cobblestone Park Golf Club. As part of a separate project involving a new I-77 interchange, contractors with the S.C. Department of Transportation (SCDOT) have partially closed and detoured part of Community Road.

Additionally, Scout Motors is anticipating a scheduled increase in contractors working on its nearby construction site in August. To mitigate impact to the local community, Scout is working with its contractors to schedule deliveries outside of peak traffic hours and delaying a planned shift in the parking location for contractors until after the first week of school.

Following are Transportation Penny upgrades scheduled for the Blythewood Road area:

  • Crews have begun work to relocate the exit road of University Parkway for the Cobblestone Park gated community near Blythewood Road. This work will continue through Aug. 27. Other detail work on the perimeter of the Blythewood Road roundabout will continue through September.
  • Around Tuesday, Aug. 15, crews will begin paving the center of the roundabout at the entrance of Cobblestone Park, shifting traffic. This work will continue through the end of August.
  • From Sept. 14 to Oct. 1, crews will install concrete islands on Community Road.
  • Ongoing work to widen the north end of Blythewood Road, including storm drain and drainage structure upgrades, and final paving work are set for completion at the end of September.

While work is ongoing, drivers should expect temporary delays and plan extra time for travel, using alternate routes when possible. Message boards will provide updates for motorists, and crews will be on site directing traffic.

The work on Blythewood Road is scheduled for completion in early October. SCDOT’s I-77 Exit 26 Interchange Project is expected to wrap up by summer 2027. In the meantime, Community Road is scheduled to reopen at the new Exit 26 Interchange in April 2026.

For more information and updates on the roadwork and local traffic patterns, visit www.richlandcountysc.gov. Find out more about SCDOT road projects: https://i77exit26.com/.

Public Invited to Meeting on Proposed Jackson Creek Greenway Project

Richland County invites the public to a community meeting to learn more about the proposed Jackson Creek Greenway project in Northeast Richland. The drop-in, open house-style meeting will give residents the chance to review design concepts, ask questions, and share feedback.

  • When: 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. Thursday, July 24
  • Where: Richland County Decker Center (Community Room), 2500 Decker Blvd., Columbia. Please enter through the Sheriff’s Department Annex entrance.

The proposed 1.3-mile paved multi-use path follows Jackson Creek from the North Trenholm Road Extension to Trenholm Road, just south of Decker Boulevard. This Transportation Penny project is designed to enhance community connectivity, support outdoor recreation, and improve pedestrian safety in the County.

Some of the greenway’s key design features include:

  • Park benches for resting and scenic enjoyment
  • Elevated boardwalks to preserve wetland and flood-prone areas
  • Pedestrian bridges for safely crossing creeks and roadways
  • Marked crosswalks at key intersections

The Jackson Creek Greenway aims to create a safe, scenic route for walking, jogging and biking, while enhancing access to Richland County neighborhoods, parks, schools and commercial areas. The final path alignment will be determined based on environmental conditions, access considerations and community input.

The greenway is part of a broader effort to expand the County’s green infrastructure and promote sustainable, active transportation. For more information, email the Richland County Public Information Office: pio@richlandcountysc.gov.

State of the Penny Offers a Look at Transportation’s Future in Richland County

Richland County will bring together state and local entities for an upcoming public event focused on the positive impact of the County’s Transportation Penny program, both at present and in the future.

The 2025 State of the Penny address is set for 6 p.m. Thursday, June 12 in Council Chambers at the Richland County Administration Building, 2020 Hampton St., Columbia. Residents will have the opportunity to learn about Transportation Penny operations, projects and expenditures. Representatives of the County’s Transportation Penny Advisory Committee (TPAC), the S.C. Department of Transportation (SCDOT) and The COMET will discuss the Penny’s impact on the infrastructure, economy, and quality of life for County residents.

State of the Penny speakers will include:

• Jesica Mackey, County Council Chairwoman
• Paul Livingston, District 4 County Councilman and chair of County Council’s Transportation Ad Hoc Committee
• Mike Maloney, Richland County Public Works Director
• Dr. John Thompson, Assistant County Administrator
• John Black, chair of TPAC
• John Boylston, chief engineer for project delivery, SCDOT
• Maurice Pearl, executive director and CEO, The COMET

Space will be limited at this event, which will stream live on Richland County’s YouTube channel.

Background on the Penny

Richland County’s Transportation Penny Tax program funds much-needed transportation projects across all 11 Council districts. The program is designed to upgrade infrastructure, improve access and safety for pedestrians, create greenways and bikeways, and expand public transit. Penny projects are funded by a 1 percent sales tax residents voted to approve in 2012 and extended by majority vote in November 2024. The latest voter-approved referendum will continue program funding for 25 years or until a maximum revenue of $4.5 billion is collected, whichever comes first.

For more information, follow Richland County Transportation Penny on Facebook. To learn more about the Transportation Penny program, visit www.richlandpenny.com.

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