Construction Begins on Atlas Road Widening Project in Columbia, Enhancing Safety and Accessibility

Construction Begins for Atlas Road Widening Project in Columbia

Residents of Columbia, South Carolina can finally breathe a sigh of relief as they’re one step closer to a safer and more accessible community! This week, officials from Richland County officially broke ground on the long-awaited Atlas Road widening project. It’s an exciting update for locals who navigate this busy corridor daily, and it’s all being funded by the county’s Transportation Penny Tax.

What’s in Store for Atlas Road?

Currently, Atlas Road is a charming two-lane road brimming with local businesses, but it often gets congested with steady traffic. The newly planned improvements will transform this stretch into a much more accommodating thoroughfare with three new lanes, including special center turning lanes, sidewalks, and bike lanes. Yes, you read that right! It seems that walkers, runners, and cyclists will soon have dedicated space to enjoy the outdoors safely.

One enthusiastic local, Attrophia Bannister, who lives nearby, expressed her excitement: “It will be a good idea for them to go walking, running, exercise, kids can walk.” Sounds like a win-win for the community!

A Peek at the Project Costs

Now, let’s talk numbers. According to Michael Maloney, the Public Works Director, the total cost of the project is floated between $56 million and $60 million. It’s broken up into two phases that will significantly improve the area. Phase 1 runs from Garners Ferry Road to Shop Road, while Phase 2 extends from Shop Road to Bluff Road.

Maloney provided some insight into the transformation happening on Atlas Road, saying, “Right where we’re at, we’re looking at a ditch on each side of the road. Instead, if you can imagine where there’s two lanes of traffic, it will be a wide center lane and then two more lanes on each side of that for driving.” Can you envision the difference?

Progress Already in Motion!

The project is well underway, with the first phase actively in motion. To date, around $8 million has been spent on relocating utilities along this busy roadway. It’s anticipated that Phase 1 will total around $48 million, while estimates for Phase 2 are still being finalized, hovering around $10 million to $12 million.

Excitedly, Maloney mentioned that relocating utilities along the corridor will take about 18 months, during which both phases of construction will be prepped and set to go. Just a friendly reminder, though – some traffic disruptions are expected during construction. But hey, as Attrophia said, it’ll be worth the wait! “I live over here, so I frequent this area, so it would be a great idea,” she added.

What’s Next?

Looking ahead, officials plan to put both phases of the project out to bid in 2025. The goal? To get it all wrapped up within the next three years. That means that in a relatively short amount of time, residents of Columbia will be reaping the benefits of a widened and safer Atlas Road.

As we watch this project unfold, it’s great to see community leaders stepping up to improve local infrastructure. Here’s to smoother drives, safer walks, and a brighter future for Atlas Road in Columbia!