Richland County realigning greenway program to address costs, get projects moving
December 10, 2019
Richland County Transportation will reorganize its greenway program to address the viability and cost of remaining projects.
At the recommendation of the program’s former managers, Transportation staff and the Richland County Conservation Commission, County Council voted Dec. 3 to reallocate funds within the greenway program to complete as many outstanding projects as possible.
To stay within the program’s original funding amounts, approved through a 2012 sales tax referendum, the County will realign projects that are no longer feasible or lack public support. It also will scale back costs, which are running higher than the original funding estimates.
The $1.037 billion Transportation Penny Program designated $20,970,779 for 15 greenway projects.
“The original intent was to start at (the County’s) top priority projects and work your way down until you run out of money, with the goal of completing as many sections as funding allows,” said Richland County Transportation Director Michael Niermeier.
The County has spent about $9.5 million of the funding allocated for greenways thus far.
Of the original 15 projects, the Lincoln Tunnel Greenway, extending from Taylor Street to Elmwood Avenue, is complete and the Three Rivers Greenway, running from the I-26/I-126 interchange to where the Saluda and Broad rivers meet, is nearly finished.
Changes to the program include eliminating eight greenway sections, redesigning other sections and redistributing funding from eliminated greenway projects to finish supported projects.
Details on specific changes to the projects are available in the agenda for Council’s Dec. 3 meeting.
Niermeier said the ultimate goal is to make adjustments where suitable for the good of the project and for Richland County, with an eye toward future expansion and connectivity.
Many factors go into developing a greenway, Niermeier said, and adjusting for changes related to feasibility of construction and funding over time is part of the process. While engineering and design are critical, plans were also developed with public input from individuals and groups in the areas directly impacted by the greenways.
Richland County Transportation plans to host a public meeting in early 2020 to go over changes to the greenway program. Details are forthcoming.
