Traffic Trouble in Columbia: Construction Chaos Ahead!
Columbia residents are feeling the squeeze as a surge of new construction in their neighborhoods leads to increased traffic woes. What was once a quiet stretch along River Drive, north of Elmwood Avenue, is now a hotspot for impatience, irritation, and a dash of danger. With 🚧construction projects underway and future developments looming, locals are bracing for a traffic nightmare that doesn’t show signs of letting up!
What’s Causing the Congestion?
It seems like late-night construction updates have become the norm in this flourishing area. The major culprits include a $5.2 million project on Sunset Drive, which kicked off in April and promises much-needed upgrades. This project aims to handle utilities, pave the road, and install a new pedestrian-friendly 5-foot sidewalk stretching from River Drive to North Main Street. While the plans shine brightly for the future, traffic is being rerouted down River Drive, leading to a not-so-pleasant current situation.
Just last month, Earlewood residents took to social media to voice their frustrations. One resident noted, “I took 32 minutes to get home from the corner of Hampton and Main. Something needs to be done!” Others echoed similar sentiments, with some drivers flying through River Drive at alarming speeds, desperate to dodge the congestion. “We need an officer or something to stop people from breaking the law to avoid traffic,” lamented another concerned citizen.
Police Efforts and Safety Concerns
Recognizing the need for a plan, the Columbia Police stepped in. As of September, the Traffic Safety Unit had begun regularly monitoring River Drive, issuing 20 tickets between September and October—most notably for reckless driving behavior. The police also attempted to provide warnings with a temporary speed trailer, but some glitches meant data from a crucial two-month speed study disappeared into the ether.
City Councilman Tyler Bailey is on the case too, stating that he is actively cooperating with police to uncover solutions for community concerns. “The people who are having complaints, those complaints are valid,” he acknowledged. However, despite increased police presence, the rush hour numbers don’t indicate any drastic speeding issues, and it seems the worst might still be ahead!
Upcoming Developments and Challenges
With the Sunset Drive project dragging on until mid-2025, residents can expect only more detours and disruptions. Adding even more challenges, the South Carolina Department of Transportation is set to install new buffered bike lanes along River Drive, which just got completed in October. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg—two apartment complexes are in the pipeline! The newly opened Benton Crossing offers affordable housing, while a hefty 300-unit market-rate apartment building is poised to take root at the corner of Sunset and River Drives.
There’s also talk of a bridge replacement next year that could see River Drive close for a whole year, rerouting traffic yet again. “That would be very disruptive to our neighborhood,” voiced John Wilkinson, president of the Elmwood Park neighborhood association, emphasizing that while traffic is spiking, the area is not exactly at its limit just yet. For context, daily drivers on River Drive jumped from about 4,800 ten years ago to over 6,000—still a fraction of the massive flow on Sunset Boulevard, which sees around 20,300 vehicles a day!
A Bright Side Amid the Chaos
Despite these tribulations, some residents, including Wilkinson, express optimism about the changes happening in their community. “A lot of people complain about traffic, but we want the development! The benefits are going to far outweigh any negative impact,” he asserted. He believes that the increased volume can still coexist with pedestrian-friendly initiatives, if managed correctly.
This will surely be an ongoing issue for Columbia, and as these construction projects continue, locals are keeping their fingers crossed for a calmer commute in the future. The city is vigilant, and if things take a turn for the worse, a long-term traffic management plan may soon join the list of developments.
As Columbia grows, the roads may feel like they’re headed for a rough patch, but let’s hope that the city can navigate these construction challenges without too much road rage!
