Columbia’s Neighborhoods Ready to Breathe Again After Year of Construction
Columbia has seen its fair share of construction chaos this year, with an endless stream of road work, new apartments, and other improvements popping up in the area bound by North Main Street and River and Sunset drives. But hold onto your helmets because there’s a flicker of hope on the horizon as one major project wraps up and brings some much-needed relief to locals!
A Year of Grit and Growth
It’s been a wild ride for the folks in this corridor. From the beginning of the year, the constant buzz of construction has left many residents feeling a bit overwhelmed. With road work on both River and Sunset Drives, plus the rise of a large apartment complex, the neighborhood felt like it was in a never-ending state of flux. Many drivers were left fuming as detours rerouted traffic, especially during peak hours.
Just this fall, police reported a spike in traffic tickets during a particularly chaotic period when commuters were forced to navigate the heightened detours. Between September and October alone, officers issued 20 tickets, including five for collisions. Talk about a stressful commute!
Finally, Some Good News!
But there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Thanks to a partnership between the South Carolina Department of Transportation and the city, a shiny new 5-foot-wide buffered bike lane has been completed stretching the entire length of River Drive. This is the first bike lane of its kind in the Midlands and a crucial part of a broader plan to reconnect Columbia’s neighborhoods.
Regan Freeman, from the Cola Town Bike Collective, couldn’t have expressed it better: “It stitches the community back together.” This bike lane not only makes it easier for cyclists to get around safely but is also expected to encourage drivers to slow down, creating a safer environment for everyone.
Connecting Communities
Columbia’s Mayor, Daniel Rickenmann, is keen on reshaping the city to be more walkable and bike-friendly. He has talked frequently about connecting neighborhoods through bike lanes, sidewalks, and greenways. This River Drive bike lane is just one piece of the puzzle that, when completed, could create a beautiful web of connected spaces for residents.
Citing safety concerns, Elders of Columbia were shocked to learn that their city is ranked a staggering 12th in pedestrian deaths among metro areas in the U.S. With data showing nearly 3.5 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 people—between 2018 and 2022—it’s clear that improving infrastructure is not just beneficial but necessary.
What Lies Ahead?
While the bike lane project is finished, residents can’t quite breathe easy yet as more construction looms on the horizon. A $5.2 million project on Sunset Drive is currently underway, expected to last until at least 2025, and plans for a massive 300-unit apartment complex are moving forward as well. With River Drive potentially closing for nearly a year for a bridge replacement by SCDOT, locals are bracing for more detours and possible traffic frustrations.
John Wilkinson, president of the Elmwood Park neighborhood association, has voiced some worries about the disruptions but remains optimistic about the area’s ability to handle the influx of activity once the dust settles. “I think we can accommodate this increase,” he reassured. “We’re ready for this change.”
Celebrating Progress
To celebrate the new bike lane, the community bike parade led by Councilwoman Tina Herbert is scheduled for this Sunday. It’s sure to be a blast and a symbolic step toward a stronger, healthier Columbia.
For all of the traffic troubles this year, it looks like Columbia might just be on the brink of becoming a more connected and livable city. Here’s to hoping that construction leads to progress, and that the city’s corridors can thrive together again!
