COLUMBIA, S.C. — Over the next couple of weeks, the town of Blythewood will undergo traffic improvements focused on Langford Road and US21.
“They're basically restriping the existing straight lane only on us 21 this the current straight and right turn on the Langford. The restriping will be done so that that lane then becomes a right turn only on to Langford, and then the center dead lane that is existing will be restriped to be shown as a straight lane only on us 21 north," said Daniel Stines, the Blythewood Town Administrator.
As part of the improvements, a traffic signal will be relocated. Blythewood city officials mention that this is a critical step in addressing congestion along US21. These upgrades are the result of a traffic impact analysis conducted for Great Southern Homes, which built the new Blythewood Farms subdivision. City officials said that whenever a new development exceeds a certain number of homes, a traffic study is required to ensure the existing infrastructure can support the added volume.
“That's done by a third-party traffic engineering firm. So, and once, once those studies are complete, if there's any improvements warranted, then it's on the developer to make those improvements, and that is the case with Blythewood Farms," said Stines.
City officials told us the developer has already laid the groundwork for utility poles and will return to finish the job. Officials add the intersection of Langford Road and US21 is one of the most congest areas in town.
“It'll help us that's trying to get back up in our neighborhood, because, you know, it's two lanes now, so you're sitting there waiting on the people that are going straight for the light, and we're sitting there, and all we have to do is turn," said Denise Williams, a Richland resident.
City officials are advising people to plan accordingly during the construction period.
“Just proceed with caution and be patient while we try to get these improvements in place," said Stines.
Blythewood city officials told us the road improvements are expected to be completed around Thanksgiving.