Columbia, SC (WLTX) — People in the community were able to voice their opinions about trains and traffic on a popular downtown Columbia street Tuesday night.
The S. C. Department of Transportation (SCDOT) helped host a public meeting at Seawell's to discuss the Assembly Street Railroad Separation Project with residents.
Jennifer Necker is the project manager for the Assembly Street Railroad Separation Project. She says there's not a plan in place yet, but they're hoping to hear ideas from the community.
"We know there's been a problem. We've actually known there's been a problem since the late 70's,” said Necker. "We really just want to find out their feedback and their experiences with the conflicts between vehicles and trains and how it is affecting their daily life."
Burton Rhodes and Andrew Eulberd were two of many who suggested solutions.
"It's a nightmare. You're on the way to work or from work, you're almost guaranteed a train is going to be stopped on the tracks,” said Rhodes. "Times change, the rail lines need to change. Rerouting the tracks to a double main line that consolidates Norfolk Southern and CSX together."
"It looks like someone spilled spaghetti all over the map,” said Eulberd. “We can do something like how we go through the Vista where it's kind of like a big ditch that has overpasses over it."
While SCDOT is looking at environmental constraints in the area, folks are wondering who's going to be funding the project?
"The city is at the table trying to bring in the resources for the funding,” said Dana Higgins with the city. “Right now, DOT has been moving this forward with the funding from our earmarks but after that, we're going to have to find the funding and finish the project."
She says they’re not sure how much exactly the project could eventually cost.
"The last estimate was $119 million, so we know it's going to be a big price tag, which is why we want to gather a state funding partner," explained Higgins.
For Rhodes, the price tag doesn't matter that much to him as long as the job gets done.
"Things cost money. $100 million, yeah we gotta pay it. But without doing the work, you're never going to see economic growth in this city," said Rhodes.
If you didn't get a chance to go to the meeting, you can still voice your opinions for the project by clicking here.