Irmo Takes a Step Towards Safer Streets on Broad River Road
IRMO, S.C. — Big news for Irmo residents! The town is finally making strides to improve safety on Broad River Road. In a meeting held on Tuesday night, the town council members approved the sale of approximately 0.3 acres of land along Broad River Road to Richland County, paving the way for some exciting developments.
Long-Awaited Changes Coming Soon
According to Irmo Mayor Bill Danielson, the residents have been waiting for this day for what feels like an eternity. “It’s been a long time, so people are eager for it to happen,” he expressed. Plans for widening Broad River Road from two lanes to a significant five lanes have been in the air, and it looks like the vision is about to turn into reality!
The property that was sold wasn’t just some random plot of land, either. “That property was donated to us about, I’d want to say 15 months ago, maybe a year and a half ago,” Danielson said nostalgically. “We happily accepted it not knowing what we would do with it, and we knew Broad River was going to be widened. And now that’s come to fruition that they need that property to widen it.”
Financial Wins for the Town
And guess what? The approval process went super smoothly! It was a clear cut unanimous decision at both the first and second readings during the council meeting. Danielson remarked, “We just made $80,000, so we’ll take that!” All that’s left for the town is to invest around $4,000 to $5,000 to finalize the deal. Talk about a savvy business move!
Added Safety Features on the Way
So, what’s next? The town was approached by Richland County about this purchase around three to four months ago. According to the latest update, more than just widening is in the works. “They are going to put a light in at Royal Tower,” Danielson explained. “They’re going to add a couple of red lights in intersections along the way.” Drivers and pedestrians alike can look forward to enhanced safety measures that promise to minimize accidents.
Local Business Owners Excited
The excitement isn’t just contained to the town council. Local business owners are also feeling the positive vibes about this project. Ben Umberger, who runs Carolina Conservation directly across from the property, shared his thoughts, saying, “We have been hopeful about this project becoming a reality for several years.” As he expressed, navigating that annoying intersection has been a “nightmare more times than not.” He went on to celebrate the added lanes and traffic lights, which he believes will significantly increase safety for pedestrians and drivers alike.
Next Steps Toward Progress
With the approval for the property sale behind them, the Irmo administration is gearing up to kick off the project. The first order of business? Relocating telephone poles! So, buckle up, residents, because the journey towards a safer Broad River Road is officially on the road (pun intended) to transformation!
