Columbia Standard

Richland County recently issued the following announcement on September 21.

An upcoming public input session will give Northeast Richland residents a chance to weigh in on preliminary plans to widen part of Spears Creek Church Road, from Two Notch Road to I-20.

“This project will address safety and traffic concerns for residents who use Spears Creek Church Road every day,” said Councilwoman Jesica Mackey, District 9. “We want to make sure residents whom these plans impact can give their input and make sure their voices are heard.”

Richland County Transportation will host the in-person session from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 14 at Pontiac Elementary School, 500 Spears Creek Church Road, Elgin. Residents can drop in at their convenience to view preliminary designs for the project and provide feedback.

The project involves widening Spears Creek Church Road, which is currently two lanes, to three lanes between Two Notch and Earth roads, and to five lanes between Earth and Jacobs Mill Pond roads.

A newly constructed median along the length of the project will give drivers an option for left-hand turns while preventing traffic buildup on Spears Creek Church Road. The additional travel lanes between Earth and Jacobs Mill Pond roads will address capacity and congestion concerns.

At the public input session, residents can review the proposed improvements to Spears Creek Church Road and give feedback to County staff. The preliminary plans, along with comment cards, are available on the Richland County Transportation website at www.richlandcountysc.gov/Transportation/Public-Meetings for those unable to attend the meeting.

In addition, residents can provide input though the following methods:

• Email: transportationpenny@richlandcountysc.gov
• Phone: 803-766-5605
• Mail: Richland County Transportation

  P.O. Box 192

  Columbia, SC 29202

The work on Spears Creek Church Road is one of 14 widening projects included in the Penny Transportation Tax program, which residents voted to approve in 2012 to generate funding for a variety of transportation improvements throughout the County. Richland County Council has approved $29 million through the Penny program to cover all aspects of the project, from design through construction.

Design, right-of-way acquisition and permitting for the project are expected to be complete by fall 2023, with construction following immediately after.

Original source can be found here.