Three options for Clemson Road widening project
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COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — Clemson Road in Northeast Richland County will expand from two to five lanes in the next couple years. The Richland Penny Program Development Team presented three options to the public Monday night. The public turned out in full force to learn more. Area residents say the growing population has increased congestion on the road, and it’s in dire need of a change. Here are the three options, all of which include five lanes. They differ in the approach to incorporating walkers and bikers. The first, would have a paved path, separated from the road by grass. Both bikers and walkers would use it together. The second, separates walkers and bikers from each other with a strip of grass. In the third option, bikers and walkers are again separated, but there’s no grass in between. We talked to a couple of longtime northeast Richland residents who like the first choice. “A bicyclist would be less likely to be side-swiped by a passing car if it got too far over,” Sabrina Jensen says. Other think the county is missing an opportunity on a stretch of road that welcomes visitors into Richland County. “Why not do landscaping and all?” John Moore says. “The first impression is the lasting impression.” Richland County director of transportation Rob Perry tells ABC Columbia the 12.7 million dollar project will be funded through the penny tax program and federal grant money. The goal, after picking a plan and getting the right of way, is to break ground by the end of 2017. You have until October 13th to comment. Written comments can be submitted to Richland Penny Program by mail to P.O. Box 3427, Columbia, SC 29230, by email to info@richlandpenny.com or by fax to (803) 779-4562.
