City begins removal of bike lanes from Farrow Road
July 16, 2018
City Manager Teresa Wilson has announced that a decision has been made to complete a lane reversal on Farrow Road (from Columbia College Drive to E. Campanella Drive), which includes the removal of bike lanes.
Wilson stated, “Based on a significant amount of feedback provided by residents from the communities in the area, a decision was made to move forward with a lane reversal and return that section of Farrow Road back to its original state. We are taking this action in order to be responsive to our citizens and move forward based on information received during the recent public meetings.
The City’s Traffic Engineering Division did review the possibility of a 4 lane cross section with two outer bike lanes. The width of the roadway would preclude the median and eliminate the left turn lane. This type of operation would require left turning vehicles to stop in the through lane creating a significant potential for rear end collisions. Vehicles turning onto Farrow Road from side streets would not have a refuge area to aide in executing their turn.
The potential for a 4 lane cross section with one outer bike lane. This configuration is not allowed based on state and federal standards for bike facilities. The current width of the roadway does not allow a way to safely implement 4 lanes of travel with a center turn lane with bike lanes on both sides.
On Tuesday, July 17, 2018, the City of Columbia will begin the process of returning Farrow Road to its previous four-lane configuration. The two bike lanes will be removed and traffic will be restored to two north-bound lanes, two south-bound lanes, and a middle turn lane. Throughout the project, the City will be working closely with the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) and an approved contractor. The milling and thin-lift resurfacing of the two outer lanes is expected to begin in mid-July with substantial construction completion within 7 to 10 days. Weather delays may change the timing of the project.
The current temporary traffic controls will stay in place during resurfacing, however, two-way traffic will be maintained throughout the process. Construction is expected to take place during normal business hours. The new surface material may be slightly different in color but will provide a smooth ride for motorists. Once new asphalt is down, temporary paint will mark the lane configuration until the curing process allows for thermoplastic paint installation (expected to be 30 days from asphalt installation). The City of Columbia urges drivers to anticipate delays during construction and to obey all traffic signs and lane modifications.
For questions and updates on this project please visit the City/Public Works Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cocpublicworks.
