COLUMBIA, S.C. — Traffic Troubles in Blythewood
This week, a wave of confusion and frustration swept through the lovely little town of Blythewood as crews took to the roads for a resurfacing project that didn’t go quite as planned! Blythewood Road was reduced to one lane, leading to some serious traffic snarls during peak hours, much to the chagrin of local residents.
When Chaos Hits the Quiet Town
Richland County Councilman Derek Pugh shared some insight into what went down, saying, “This past week, we started resurfacing and widening Blythewood Road. It caused a lot of confusion and traffic congestion because the contractor was working during the peak hours of traffic.”
As you can imagine, folks caught in the traffic jam didn’t hold back on social media! Debby Reed, one local resident, expressed her displeasure, asking, “Who plans this crap? Is it purposely done to make us more miserable?” While another neighbor, Sharon Simons Wesley, mused, “I miss our small little town.” It seems many others share these sentiments, feeling nostalgic for the simpler, quieter days in Blythewood.
Efforts to Clear the Road
After hearing the public’s outcry, Councilman Pugh jumped into action. “I made a phone call and made a suggestion that we have them work in the evening, non-peak hours, in order to just not kill the quality of life,” he explained. What a thoughtful move!
And guess what? This plan is going to change things for the better! Richland County Public Works Director Mike Maloney said that working in the evenings instead of during the day is a step in the right direction. It’s expected to ease the traffic woes a bit, although there’s a catch: it will come at a cost.
Night Work’s Price Tag
Maloney pointed out that it wouldn’t come cheap to switch up the schedule. “There’s a little bit of a cost to having crews work at night. There are certain setups with lighting, and night work is typically from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.,” he explained. “So, we only anticipate night work for one week. We’re looking out at the middle of November for that to occur for about four working days.”
While it may be a little more expensive for the county, it sounds like it might be worth it to protect the quality of life for residents who just want to get home without the hassle of long delays.
Need Help with Local Issues?
For anyone facing issues or with questions regarding county matters, Maloney invites residents to reach out. He noted that “our Richland County Ombudsman’s Office is the best resource for just about anything you have going on in Richland County,” saying they get over 1,000 calls a month from people looking for help. If you’re curious about anything, just give them a call at 803-929-6000.
The Road Ahead
It’s a significant project—this whole Blythewood Road widening affair is expected to wrap up in September 2025. So, as the crews work their magic, residents can look forward to a smoother ride in the future!
As Blythewood continues its transformation, let’s hope that the locals find more reasons to cheer and less to grumble about. Here’s to better traffic days ahead!
