Help Wanted: CMCOG Seeks Public Input to Tackle Columbia’s Traffic Congestion

COLUMBIA — Help Wanted: Your Input on Traffic Solutions!

Ever feel like traffic in Columbia is a never-ending struggle? Well, you’re not alone! A regional planning group is stepping up to tackle those frustrating commutes and they need your voice. The Central Midlands Council of Governments (CMCOG) is on a mission to develop a big plan to ease traffic congestion across the Midlands, and they want to hear from you!

Calling All Commuters!

The CMCOG is gathering feedback from residents until the end of the year. They have scheduled public meetings in downtown Columbia, Chapin, Fairfield County, greater Lexington, Northeast Columbia, and Newberry County. Your input is crucial in helping them shape the recommendations they plan to present to the public by February.

Traffic Woes in Focus

The planning committee has teamed up with the engineering experts at Kimley-Horn from Raleigh to identify the worst traffic trouble spots. And guess what? Certain areas can see commutes that take twice as long during peak travel times, which are from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. It’s enough to make anyone’s morning coffee turn cold!

Key Trouble Spots Identified

While the major interstates in the Midlands face significant congestion, local governments are a bit limited in their ability to make immediate changes there. But fear not! The plan could include suggestions for new interchanges that would help make it easier for folks to get on and off the highways.

Some other potential solutions that CMCOG is eyeing include improving public transportation to make riding the bus a more appealing option, and looking at changing land use to encourage people to live closer to where they work. Jonathan Guy, vice president of Kimley-Horn, mentioned, “We can’t build our way out of congestion.” Instead, the focus is on smarter solutions!

An Eye on the Future

Columbia’s traffic patterns are expected to change as more people choose to commute into urban areas from rural locations. Guy noted that they’re gearing up for around 4,000 new commuters expected to join the ranks in 2026 as Scout Motors gears up for its arrival in the area. In addition to these changes, the CMCOG will consider previously shelved projects that could help with congestion relief.

Previous Studies and Findings

In 2023, Columbia conducted its own traffic study focusing on easing congestion in East Columbia, particularly along routes like Garners Ferry Road and Fort Jackson Boulevard. The study discovered that afternoons are particularly rough for travel with congestion becoming worse compared to mornings. The Five Points area continues to be the hotbed for car wrecks, while Bush River Road and the infamous Malfunction Junction also rank high on the accident-prone list.

Time for Changes!

In a recent climate impact report, Columbia was ranked poorly in vehicle pollution. It shows that the area has some of the highest average vehicle miles traveled daily, which means we’re burning a lot of fuel without seeing much progress on reducing those numbers in recent years.

On a brighter note, efforts to promote walking and biking in Columbia are underway. Thanks to the South Carolina Department of Transportation adopting a complete streets plan in 2021, progress is being made! Guy noted, “We’re starting to see the state work collaboratively to start building infrastructure for that, and that’s a great thing.” However, it’s clear that while improvements are being planned, patience is still the name of the game.

So Colombians, this is your chance to make your voice heard! Join the conversation at the public meetings and let’s work together to make those stressful commutes a thing of the past.