Categories: CommunityEvents/What's HappeningLake Murray of Richland, SCNews

Columbia Residents Alert: Road Closures Due to Repairs

An aerial perspective of ongoing road closures and detour routes in Columbia.

News Summary

Columbia residents should be aware of significant road closures mainly due to repairs on the Woodcrest Drive bridge and flooding from Hurricane Helene. Starting January 6, the bridge will be closed for a month, and traffic will be detoured through Beaverbrook Road and other local routes. Furthermore, several areas including Whaley Street and Main Street face closures due to flooding, affecting public transport and traffic patterns. Authorities advise caution and monitor updates for road conditions.

Attention Columbia Residents: Important Road Closures and Detours Ahead!

Heads up, folks in Columbia! If you’re planning on hitting the road soon, you might want to rethink your route because the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) has some big news to share. Starting January 6, the Woodcrest Drive bridge in Richland County will be closed for necessary repairs and all traffic will be rerouted for about a month. That’s right, while the crews work hard to ensure our roads remain safe, you’ll need to take a little detour.

What’s the Detour?

No need to stress too much about getting around. The detour route is set up to keep you moving smoothly. You can follow the signs along Beaverbrook Road, Wakefield Road, Sharpe Road, Green Tree Drive, and Old Oak Drive. Make sure to keep an eye out for the posted detour signs, and please drive with caution in and around the area. SCDOT is urging everyone to be mindful of crews working on the repairs—safety first!

Flooding Woes from Hurricane Helene

Now, as if that wasn’t already enough to worry about, the weather has taken quite a turn. Following the heavy rainfall from Hurricane Helene, flooding has caused several road closures across the Midlands. The City of Columbia has had to close parts of Whaley Street and Main Street due to significant rain accumulation. Currently, Whaley Street is blocked from Assembly Street to Sumter Street, and Main Street is closed from Catawba Street to Whaley Street.

What Else is Closed?

To add to the inconvenience, the Columbia-Richland Fire Department is busy dealing with flooding at the intersection of Main Street and Whaley Street. As of the latest update, the Columbia Police Department is redirecting traffic at Blossom Street and Huger Street where water levels have risen dramatically. The already troublesome Blossom Street bridge is also closed because of the flooding, so please allow for delays.

In Richland County, you might encounter several other closed roads. For example, don’t try to go through the 10000 block of Two Notch Road, and be cautious near the 6000 block of Trenholm Road. Areas like the Trenholm at O’Neil and Firelane at Lowe’s are also off-limits, as well as Shakespeare Road and areas around North Trenholm and Forest Drive where rising water has made it unsafe.

Power Outages and Safety Precautions

Oh, and let’s not forget energy issues: many roads have downed power lines due to recent storms, blocking access at various intersections like Aberdeen Ave. & Clement Rd. and Gervais St. & Trenholm Rd.. Please treat traffic lights that are out as four-way stops to prevent any mishaps.

If you need to dispose of small limbs and yard debris, community parks have set up dumpsters at Heathwood Park, Hyatt Park, Old Woodlands Park, and Rosewood Park for your convenience.

Travel Tips

It’s also important to note that all public transportation services are running behind schedule due to these weather-related disruptions, so allow for extra time if you’re relying on buses. If you can, it’s best to stay indoors during this stormy weather and avoid driving through any standing water—safety must come first!

The city is actively monitoring the situation and working diligently to reopen roads once it’s safe to do so. Keep an eye out for updates from the SCDOT on their website and social media pages as they work to ensure our roads are safe and sound again.