Drop-in Event to Highlight Transportation Projects, Resources in County

(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.

(Richland PIO) – The County is finishing upgrades to the intersection of North Main Street and Monticello Road, as a revitalization project on North Main begins its final phase.

Last week, crews contracted by Richland County Transportation began preparing deteriorated sections of concrete at the intersection for removal. Crews will follow up by removing an existing trolley rail, constructing a roadway base, paving asphalt, and installing a crosswalk at the intersection.

Motorists are asked to be patient during the roadwork, as delays are expected because of lane closures. Work is expected to occur on weekdays.

The construction is part of Transportation’s plans to widen and further improve a 1.7-mile stretch of North Main Street, from Anthony Avenue to Sunset Drive.

“The overall construction work will greatly improve pedestrian safety with street lighting and designated crosswalks, along with traffic-signalized intersections and roadway surface improvements for motorists,” said Kimberly Toney, a project manager with Richland County Transportation.

Transportation staff expect the North Main project to be finished by the end of fall. The project’s three other phases are already mostly complete, with the remaining work scheduled between Monticello Road and Mt. Vernon Street.

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On Sept. 8, crews contracted by Richland County Transportation began removing deteriorated pavement at North Main Street and Monticello Road as part of a revitalization project on North Main.

(Richland PIO) – Drivers who use Garners Ferry and Harmon roads in Lower Richland should allow more time for daytime trips over the next several months, as Richland County works to improve the intersection of the two roads.

Recently, crews contracted by Richland County Transportation began clearing the right-of-way along Harmon Road as part of the project, which will add a dedicated right-turn lane on Garners Ferry Road as well as left- and right-turn lanes on Harmon Road.

When the right-of-way is clear, crews will begin relocating utilities along both roads. Transportation officials anticipate temporary traffic delays from lane closures related to the work, scheduled for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily for the duration of the project.

County crews also will install a new traffic signal at the intersection, along with replacing asphalt on Garners Ferry Road and overlaying asphalt on Harmon Road.

“The addition of the turn lanes and improved traffic signal timing will improve traffic flow and movement for those traveling on Garners Ferry and Harmon roads,” Project Manager Kimberly Toney said. “These improvements will improve capacity and volume, particularly with Horrell Hill Elementary School being nearby.”

Richland County expects to finish work on the project by the end of spring 2023.

(Richland PIO) – County residents will soon get the chance to learn about and weigh in on planned improvements for a two-mile stretch of Bluff Road.

A public drop-in meeting highlighting Phase 2 of the County’s Bluff Road Widening Project will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 2 at Zion Pilgrim Baptist Church, 1609 Zion Ave., Columbia. Attendees can review the project’s redesigned plans at their convenience, talk with Richland County Transportation staff about the designs, and give feedback on the project.

Bluff Road Widening Phase 2 involves the following upgrades:

• installing a traffic signal at Bluff Road and Bluff Industrial Boulevard
• resurfacing Bluff Road from National Guard and Berea roads to South Beltline Boulevard
• making intersection improvements as needed, such as turn lanes

Transportation staff have not yet established a timeline for the improvements but aim to begin construction in 2023.

In addition to the meeting June 2, residents can provide input through the following methods:

• Email: transportationpenny@richlandcountysc.gov
• Phone: 803-766-5605
• Mail: Richland County Transportation
  O. Box 192
  Columbia, SC 29202

During the project’s first phase, crews widened Bluff Road to five lanes, adding bicycle and pedestrian accommodations from Rosewood Drive to George Rogers Boulevard. A sidewalk from Rosewood Drive to Bluff Road was also added.

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

(Richland PIO) – An upcoming event by the County’s Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) aims to get residents up to speed on transportation projects and resources available in the community.

“Maintaining SPEED with Transportation Resources” will take place from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, March 24 in the entrance plaza outside the County Administration Building, 2020 Hampton St., Columbia. Attendees can speak with County Transportation staff to learn about current and planned projects and try out a Blue Bike, offered by the City of Columbia’s bike share system.

Sign up to attend via Eventbrite: https://maintaining-speed.eventbrite.com.

The drop-in session is part of NIP’s SPEED (Sustainability, Planning, Education, Engagement, Development) effort, a yearlong program featuring events geared toward training and engaging the community.

“This event continues the goals of our SPEED program by educating residents about sustainable modes of transportation and responsible development of our roads and trails in the County,” said Marc Ridlehoover, Richland County neighborhood planner.

In the event of inclement weather, this event will be postponed to a later date.

To keep up with SPEED events year round, visit the County’s website: www.richlandcountysc.gov, and navigate to the Neighborhood Planning events page. For more information, email NIP@richlandcountysc.gov.