COLUMBIA, S.C. — Changes Ahead for Clemson Road Commuters
If you live or work around Clemson Road in Columbia, you might want to brace yourself for some traffic delays over the next couple of months. Starting from Monday, the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) will be taking some significant steps that could impact your daily commute.
What’s Happening?
SCDOT officials announced that they will be closing a lane on Clemson Road in northeast Richland County. According to Hannah Robinson from SCDOT, this closure is necessary for a utility relocation project. “We’re doing a utility relocation on Clemson Road. Basically, what’s going on is there’s a waterline that needs to be relocated,” Robinson explained. “And in order for us to do that, we’re going to have to get into the right lane of Clemson Road. So that’s the lane that we’re closing, and we’re going to have to get under the pavement.”
Details of the Closure
The lane closure will stretch from the entrance of Hope Baptist Church down to Brooke Hollow Drive. In addition, the right lane on Hard Scrabble Road leading onto Clemson Road will also be closed to improve safety for both workers and drivers in the area. This is an important consideration, especially since it’s a busy part of town.
Robinson assured the community that although a lane will be closed, businesses will still be accessible. “If your business, if you’re trying to get into a business, or one of the roads that are off of the area of Clemson Road that’s closed, you will still be able to get in and out of there,” she said.
Concerns from Local Businesses
However, not everyone is optimistic about the situation. Kacy Williams, a manager at Pet Supplies Plus, expressed her concerns. “It’s going to impact the store a good bit, probably,” she said. “I know most people don’t like going over to Two Notch because of the traffic over there, so they come here instead of going to PetSmart. But now, it’s going to be traffic over here.”
With the upcoming holiday season, Williams is worried. “And with the holidays coming up, everyone’s going to go down to Sand Hills, so this lane is going to be backed up, probably all the way down to Walgreens down there,” she added, emphasizing the potentially heavy traffic that will affect not only consumers but also deliveries to local businesses.
Safety First
SCDOT is not just focused on traffic; safety is a priority as well. They have announced that sidewalks in the area will also be closed during the construction. “We just ask that people slow down and pay attention, because our crews are going to be in those areas, and we want everybody to go home safe at the end of the day,” said Robinson.
Alternative Routes Suggested
In light of the changes, SCDOT encourages everyone to consider taking alternative routes to help ease traffic flow during the lane closure. Commuters may find that avoiding the area could save time and lessen frustration.
Final Thoughts
So, if you frequent Clemson Road, keep an eye on the traffic patterns over the next couple of months and plan accordingly. With some patience and awareness, we can all navigate the roads safely during this construction period. Remember, slow down, stay alert, and let’s keep our community safe!
