PENNY TAX PROGRAM: Northeast Columbia project breaks ground on Alpine Road

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — Back in 2012, residents in Richland County approved a 1 percent sales tax to fund much needed transportation projects in the Columbia area.

But what projects is that penny funding?

“One of the concerns that I heard from residents is that infrastructure is not keeping pace with the county’s growth,” said Overture Walker, Richland County Council chair. “It’s important that we have a government that ensures that our infrastructure is not only keeping up with population growth but also the economic growth we’re seeing as well.”

One of the Penny Tax projects broke ground in the northeast side of Columbia Tuesday morning. It involves improving connectivity between Percival Road and Two Notch along Alpine Road.

“As you know, we have schools along this road,” said Michael Maloney, Richland County director of public works. “Connecting the schools to the neighborhoods is key to creating safe routes to school.”

Part of the project involves more than two miles of sidewalk. Its aim is to make the area safer for pedestrians. 

“The project has a sidewalk where we’re connecting it to all the missing segments including where we are right here, close to Polo Road,” Maloney said. “That sidewalk project will not interfere with traffic other than the crossing streets.”

The other phase of the $4.3 million dollar project includes a resurfacing of Alpine Road. 

“The asphalt replacement will create new asphalt from Percival to Two Notch,” Maloney said. “There could be delays while the asphalt is being placed.”

County officials expect the project to be completed by August of next year and it’s one of many going on around the area. 

“There’s several projects in the pipeline. We still have Hard Scrabble Road that currently under construction,” Walker said. “We also have the Leesburg widening in the Lower Richland area. There’s Bluff Road phase two that’s coming up.”

Also coming up is a State of the Penny address Thursday night at 7 when county leaders will speak about current transportation projects. It will be held at the Richland County Administrative Building at 2020 Hampton Street.