Richland County celebrates neighborhood connectivity with Sunset Drive upgrades
November 20, 2025
A recently finished Richland County Transportation Penny project promises to give safer passage to pedestrians and cyclists while also boosting community connectivity between River Drive and North Main Street in Columbia.
Residents and local officials gathered for a celebratory ribbon cutting Wednesday to mark the completion of a 5-foot-wide sidewalk along the north end of Sunset Drive, from River Drive to Elmhurst Road. The Sunset Drive Sidewalk project also includes enhancements to the roadway and improved curb and gutter, drainage systems, utilities and driveways.
The improvements to the 0.8-mile stretch of Sunset Drive “create connectivity for our neighbors here to get to businesses, restaurants and schools nearby,” said County Council Chairwoman Jesica Mackey. “With this new sidewalk, we do believe that you’ll see increased activity, but most importantly, safety.”
Sunset Drive connects several neighborhoods north of Columbia and is also close to Earlewood Park.
Mike Maloney, director of Public Works for Richland County, said the limited area for right-of-way on Sunset posed challenges for the sidewalk project, which began in 2024. The County ultimately acquired private property to allow room for construction, along with moving a water main and building shoring and retaining walls.
Funded by the Richland County Transportation Penny program, the project cost $5.2 million. For more information on ongoing Penny projects, visit RichlandPenny.com.
About Richland County
The County Government is dedicated to providing exceptional public services through effective planning, proactive leadership, and inclusive governance to ensure that all residents, visitors, and businesses have equitable opportunities and improved quality of life today and in the future.
