South Carolina – With a $204 million government grant meant to alleviate train-related congestion in the city, Columbia is poised to get a significant increase in terms of infrastructure development. State transportation officials announced the funding on Friday; it would support a major project meant to remove problematic train crossings and alleviate traffic congestion.
The details
Justin Powell, Secretary of the South Carolina Department of Transportation, said the grant—which comes from a federal program aimed at railway crossing problems—will allow the start of an eagerly-awaited project within the next two to three years.
Powell pointed out that although this project has been under debate for decades, the permitting procedure is now in progress. The project expected to cost between $265 million and $305 million would concentrate on either widening or closing a major highway to improve traffic flow.
Funding
Additional money will augment the project’s budget: $35 million from state budget earmarks over the past three years, a $10 million congressional earmark from last year, $5 million from the City of Columbia, and a projected $25 million from Richland County’s penny tax. The project’s overall accessible resources, including these contributions, come to $279 million.
The impact
Two main options for the project are under discussion inside the Department of Transportation. The less expensive solution would be building an overhead bridge for trains and lowering Assembly Street by roughly 18 feet, therefore potentially disturbing nearby areas.
Alternatively, a more expensive but less invasive solution would improve Assembly Street and let trains pass beneath. The selected route is scheduled to be revealed this spring; community members have until Saturday to provide comments on the project website.
Apart from bettering traffic problems, the initiative seeks to improve the functional and aesthetic features of an essentially industrial corridor. Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann sees the project as a transforming component for downtown Columbia, potentially including murals by nearby artists on the new construction.
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Challenges and support
Local complaints about regular traffic delays resulting from CSX and Norfolk South Railway trains at Assembly Street crossings have underlined the necessity of this improvement. These delays influence access to local sites including Williams-Brice Stadium and the State Fairgrounds as well as daily commutes.
Long-time supporter of local infrastructure upgrades, U.S. Representative Jim Clyburn underlined the project’s significance in regard to South Carolina’s expanding population. Reflecting on the efforts made since his election in 1993 to get federal backing for such projects, he underlined the need of building infrastructure to sustain this increase.
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With the $204 million award, Columbia will reach a major turning point since it promises to improve urban mobility and help the city grow as a dynamic center. Strategic planning and community involvement will help the project not only to address current transportation problems but also to promote economic development and raise the standard of living for Columbia residents.
