Bluff Road widening, area sidewalks get green light for construction
October 29, 2016
County Council approves projects as part of Penny Tax transportation program
The first phase of a project to widen Bluff Road in Richland County is set to begin this winter.
Richland County Council recently awarded a $5,515,719 contract to Cherokee Inc. to widen the road from Rosewood Drive to George Rogers Boulevard near Willliams-Brice Stadium. The first phase of the work is expected to be completed by summer of 2017. The completed project ultimately will expand the road from Rosewood Drive to I-77 and will include a center turn lane with bike and pedestrian paths on both sides. The Bluff Road contract has multiple funding sources that include Transportation Penny funds, state gasoline tax funds and federal dollars. Council signed off on the initial phase of the widening earlier this month along with two area sidewalk upgrades near downtown Columbia. All three projects are being completed as part of the Richland County Transportation Penny Tax program.
One of the two sidewalk projects will add walkways at Franklin and Jefferson streets. Council awarded a $275,474 contract to Orion Construction for that project. The second project will add sidewalks on Senate Street from Gladden Street to King Street. Council awarded a $128,344 contract to Armstrong Construction for the work. Work on the sidewalks is scheduled to begin construction late this year and is expected to take about 120 days to complete.
The three recently-approved projects are among millions of dollars in transportation and commuter improvements being made possible through the Richland County Transportation Penny Tax program approved by voters in November 2012.
“We are extremely excited to deliver three more Richland Penny projects to construction for our citizens,” Rob Perry, Richland County transportation director, said. “One is a major widening project, and this shows our commitment in delivering on our promise to our citizens.”
The Penny Program includes such projects as road widenings, intersection improvements, sidewalks, bikeways, dirt road paving and greenways throughout Richland County during a 22-year period or until $1.07 billion in sales tax revenue is collected.
