Richland County to Begin Enhancements at Bull Street, Elmwood Avenue

In January, Richland County began holding community meetings in each of the 11 Council districts to present completed and upcoming transportation projects slated for the coming year. Residents were invited to attend these drop-in discussions, submit questions about the projects, and provide perspective on what community needs were most pressing.

 Councilmembers and County staff helped answer questions and spark discussion during the open forums, which were hosted by Stantec LLC, a consulting group charged with capturing community input and concerns to inform a County-wide assessment on transportation needs.

 This information is also being leveraged as content for a new “Transportation Road Map.” This will be an online resource to share answers to frequently asked questions, news and presentations outlining community needs, and video from work sessions between County Council, Transportation Penny Department leadership, and representatives of the consulting group. The goal of this work is a detailed, well-informed needs assessment of community transportation improvements that will enhance residents’ safety and quality of life and best position the County for smart growth and development in the future.

Driving the winding, wooded portion of Columbia’s Sunset Drive between Elmhurst Road and River Drive can make you feel like you’re suddenly driving through a scenic byway in the foothills. That peaceful drive can quickly turn into a busy byway and convenient connector for traffic traveling to and from Broad River Road, Main Street and I-277. The road is also useful for pedestrians, but narrow shoulders on both sides makes walking roadside somewhat treacherous.

Your Transportation Penny is providing a solution to this issue. Starting in March, construction of a new sidewalk will begin.

The focus of the Sunset Drive Sidewalk Project is the creation of 5-foot-wide sidewalk that will stretch for .75 miles from Makeway Drive to Elmhurst Road. Also considered a neighborhood improvement project, driveways along the walk will be enhanced, new drainage structures will be installed along the corridor and water lines will be properly relocated. There will also be a retaining wall constructed at the culvert. The budget allotted for this Penny Project is $5.2 million.

“This is the first time a pedestrian improvement has been designed for this area. The project design will provide pedestrians safe access to area neighborhoods, schools, and local commerce from Broad River Road to Main Street,” said Transportation Penny Program Director Mike Maloney.

The project is scheduled for completion in May 2025.

Richland County will bring together the County’s Transportation Penny Advisory Committee (TPAC), the S.C. Department of Transportation (SCDOT) and The Comet for a joint 2023 State of the Penny Address. The public is invited to the live event at 6 p.m. Nov. 2 at the Richland County Administration Building, 2020 Hampton St., Columbia. Space is limited.

The County’s Transportation Penny Tax program began in 2012, when residents voted to approve a 1 percent sales tax to fund much-needed transportation projects.

The Nov. 2 address will feature a brief history of the Penny program and highlight current and completed projects, as well as the positive impact the $1.07 billion generated by the program has had on roadways, pedestrian improvements, greenways and public transportation since its inception.

TPAC Chairman John Black will provide opening remarks. Guests also will hear from local and state officials about the significance of the Transportation Penny and the impact the investment by taxpaying residents has had on the quality of life in Richland County.

Attendees will be able to submit questions to be answered as time permits. Questions may be submitted online in advance and during the event at stateofthepenny@richlandcountysc.gov.

The State of the Penny address also will be streamed live on the Richland County YouTube channel. For more information, follow Richland County Transportation Penny on Facebook. To learn more about the Transportation Penny program, visit www.richlandpenny.com.

Richland County will announce plans to begin an extensive $4.3 million Transportation Penny project to build a sidewalk along Alpine Road that will connect S.C. Highway 12 (Percival Road) with U.S. Highway 1 (Two Notch Road). The project is slated for completion in August 2024.

The new sidewalk will cover more than two miles, making walking to local schools and businesses between Alpine and Two Notch roads safer and easier for pedestrians in Northeast Richland. The scope of the project also covers resurfacing of Alpine Road, from Percival to Two Notch. 

A celebratory groundbreaking is scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31. The County will announce additional event details closer to the date.

The sidewalk and road resurfacing comprise one of the latest Transportation Penny improvement projects funded by a 1 percent sales tax referendum County voters approved in 2012. Additionally, the project will connect to the Polo Road shared-use path, a project previously completed with Transportation Penny funds.

For more information about active and completed Transportation Penny projects, important event dates and other Penny news, visit www.richlandpenny.com. 

(Richland PIO) – Richland County has finished construction of a redesigned intersection at Percival and Screaming Eagle roads in Northeast Richland. The project, which began construction in October 2022, was completed ahead of schedule and under budget. The $2.5 million completion cost comes in considerably less than the initial estimated budget of $3.1 million.

The project is one of many transportation improvements funded by the Richland County Transportation Penny program, based on a 1 percent sales tax referendum County voters approved in 2012.

“With funding support by the Transportation Penny from Richland County residents, the support of Richland County Council, and the outstanding planning and oversight of our Transportation team, we were able to keep this project running ahead of schedule, saving time and money,” said Michael Maloney, Richland County Public Works director. “More importantly, for motorists, the project makes this intersection safer, increases traffic capacity and improves traffic flow.”

The scope of the project called for realigning Screaming Eagle Road to bring the angle of the intersection closer to 90 degrees, improving safety for drivers. Screaming Eagle Road was widened, with left- and right-turn lanes added to improve capacity and traffic flow, and Percival Road was widened to add a new left-turn lane onto Screaming Eagle Road.

Find out the status of other Transportation Penny projects online at RichlandPenny.com.

(Richland PIO) – An upcoming informational drop-in meeting will update Richland County residents on planned upgrades to Pineview Road, south of Columbia. By widening parts of Pineview between Shop and Garners Ferry roads, the County aims to relieve road congestion in the area.

The informal meeting will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 20 at the C.R. Neal Dream Center, 2441 Atlas Road, Columbia. Attendees can review the project’s redesign plans at their convenience, talk with County Transportation staff about the project, and give feedback.

Proposed improvements to Pineview Road include widening the road from two lanes, one in each direction, to three lanes between Shop and Garners Ferry roads. The added lane will be a two-way independent left-turn lane along the length of the roadway. A new traffic signal at Pineview Road and American Italian Way is also planned.

“This project improves the intersections and the pavement in the area and adds a middle lane to help keep the traffic moving between Garners Ferry Road and Shop Road,” said Michael Maloney, Richland County Transportation director.

County staff have not yet established a timeline for the improvements, but construction is projected to start in 2024.

In addition to the June 20 meeting, residents can provide input in the following ways:

• Mail: Richland County Transportation Penny Department, 2000 Hampton St., Columbia, SC 29204
• Email: transportationpenny@richlandcountysc.gov

For more about the proposed improvements, visit the Transportation Department’s Projects page: www.richlandcountysc.gov/Government/Departments/Transportation-Penny/Projects.

(Richland PIO) – Richland County will soon open a 1.7-mile stretch of North Main Street, the culmination of a multi-phase Penny project. Construction on the project extends from Anthony Avenue to Fuller Avenue, just north of downtown Columbia.

In addition to widening and repaving the stretch of roadway, upgrades from the work include:

• Improved intersections, particularly at North Main Street and Monticello Road
• Imprinted and textured pavement stamping for designated crosswalks
• Landscaping improvements
• Street lighting to improve nighttime safety
• Improved pedestrian routes
• Overhead utilities relocated underground

“The construction phases for the widening and intersection project were a culmination of efforts by many professionals,” said Michael Maloney, Richland County Transportation director. “The City of Columbia commissioned the design, and the Richland County Penny brought it to construction. The many entities involved have delivered a great improvement.”

In addition to $35.4 million in funding from the County’s Penny program, this project was also funded through:

• $16.7 million from a federal TIGER discretionary grant
• $1.3 million from federal legislation
• $5.8 million from the City of Columbia for water and sewer work

At a news conference at 11 a.m. Monday, April 24, County representatives, Transportation staff and other local leaders will share details from the project while offering insight and answering questions. The news conference will be at 950 Jackson Ave., Columbia, with parking available at Hyatt Park.

To arrange coverage, email Susan O’Cain, Richland County’s director of communications, by 5 p.m. Friday, April 21: o’cain.susan@richlandcountysc.gov.

For more about Transportation improvements, visit www.richlandcountysc.gov/transportation or call 844-RCPENNY.

(Richland PIO) – Richland County is set to announce plans to upgrade and widen Blythewood Road as part of a $15.6 million Penny project to boost road safety in Northeast Richland.

The roadwork will extend west from Blythewood Road’s intersection with I-77 to Syrup Mill Road, about 0.8 miles. Improvements include widening the two-lane stretch of road to four lanes and adding a 15-foot turning median, as well as adding 10-foot shared-use paths both sides of the road.

At a news conference set for 11 a.m. Thursday, March 30, County representatives and Transportation staff will share plans on the project while offering insight and answering questions. The news conference will be at the Richland County Public Works entrance at 437 Blythewood Road, Blythewood.

The County will release more details on the project at this news conference. To arrange coverage, contact Susan O’Cain, Richland County’s director of communications, by 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 29: 803-576-2065 or o’cain.susan@richlandcountysc.gov.

Improving Road Capacity and Safety

A separate upgrade of the widening project involves building a multi-lane roundabout at the entrance of Cobblestone Park Golf Club, just off Blythewood Road.

With the upgrades, the County aims to increase Blythewood Road’s capacity, allowing for more vehicles to travel the area and, by adding a dedicated left-turn lane, cutting wait time for vehicles to turn there. As an added benefit, the new shared-use paths will allow pedestrians, bikes and small vehicles to access Blythewood Road without affecting traffic.

The roadwork will take place from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. from April 3 until April 5, 2025. The County expects one lane to be open in each direction while work is ongoing; temporary delays for drivers are possible. The 35 mph speed limit will not change.

For more about Transportation improvements, visit www.richlandcountysc.gov/transportation or call 844-RCPENNY.

QUOTES

“I am eager and excited to see this much-needed Penny project begin in the Town of Blythewood. These upgrades will benefit our residents, as well as making our community safer and more inviting for commuters, pedestrians and cyclists.” – Derrek Pugh, Councilman, Richland District 2

“This roadway is being upgraded due to the opportunity for increased jobs and residents in the area. The project increases the roadway’s capacity to handle additional traffic, while also providing new shared-use paths.” – Michael Maloney, Richland County Transportation director

“Relieving Blythewood Road congestion with additional lanes, wide sidewalks and a traffic circle is the first step in the process of improving overall traffic flow in our rapidly growing community. This has been a need for our community for many years, and I am proud we are finally able to deliver on our promises to begin optimizing our aged and outdated infrastructure.” – Bryan Franklin, Town of Blythewood mayor

(Richland PIO) – Richland County will soon unveil plans for upcoming improvements at a busy downtown intersection, boosting safety for drivers and pedestrians and shifting a major Penny program project into the construction phase.

On Thursday, Dec. 8, the County will share plans to improve traffic flow and safety at Bull Street and Elmwood Avenue in Columbia. At a news conference set for 11 a.m. near the entrance of the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Bull Street, County representatives and Transportation staff will offer insight on the project and answer questions.

Richland County will release more details on the project at the news conference Dec. 8. To arrange coverage, contact Susan O’Cain, the County’s director of communications: 803-576-2065 or o’cain.susan@richlandcountysc.gov.

Safety Benefits, Reduced Delays

Benefits of the project include an estimated reduction in driver wait times of nearly 60 percent, which should result in fewer cars waiting for traffic signals to change, as well as increased safety.

“There is a significant delay reduction for this intersection,” said Michael Maloney, Richland County Transportation director. “That will provide an immediate improvement by allowing more commuters and downtown patrons through the intersection, but it also will accommodate growth in the area for years to come.”

The project involves adding a lane to the eastbound side of Elmwood Avenue, creating a dedicated straight lane across the intersection with Bull Street.

The existing southbound right-turn lane from Bull Street to Elmwood Avenue will be channelized to allow traffic to continue to flow through. Bull Street will also be restriped to add an additional northbound through lane and remove a southbound dedicated right-turn lane onto Calhoun Street.

“The improvements to this intersection are going to be crucial as the Bull Street District continues to grow,” said Councilman Paul Livingston, District 4. “With more businesses and visitors coming to this area, these changes will ensure continued access for both drivers and pedestrians.”

Other improvements from the project include:

• resurfacing and restriping roads
• improving drainage
• adding landscaping along Elmwood Avenue
• upgrading traffic signals
• constructing, removing and rebuilding concrete islands
• improving pedestrian crossings

“This intersection is a major thoroughfare for many Richland County residents, and it is particularly busy during peak commuting hours in the morning and evening,” said Councilwoman Jesica Mackey, who chairs the County’s Transportation Ad Hoc Committee and represents District 9. “These improvements are going to help that traffic flow more efficiently, which will benefit a great deal of people and the businesses in the surrounding area.”

For more about Transportation improvements, visit www.richlandcountysc.gov/transportation or call 844-RCPENNY.