COLUMBIA, S.C. — As the new Scout Motors plant in Blythewood continues to take shape, work also continues to widen Blythewood Road from I-77 to Syrup Road.
The project includes a roundabout at Community Road, that traffic engineers hope will ease congestion at this critical intersection.
Now, thanks to a decision from the Richland County Council, the next part of the project is one step closer.
Richland County Councilman Paul Livingston brought a vendor contract to the council Tuesday evening, where they unanimously approved it.
“What we voted on tonight was to award a contract to Cherokee Incorporated for widening Blythewood from Syrup to Muller Road. Now this is actually a part of the Scout Motors project,” Livingston said.
This means work can now move forward to continue widening Blythewood Road down to Muller Road.
Resident's reactions to the project were mixed.
Jeffrey Allums said he feels that the current project is not enough, and that Blythewood Road needs to be widened all the way to Highway 321.
Bobbi Young said the county approaches projects the wrong way.
“The unfortunate thing is that Richland County absolutely does not know how to plan for development, instead they develop then plan,” Young said.
Other comments revolved around the idea of traffic circles.
Jason Wilson said he lived in overseas where had a positive experience on the roads there.
“I lived in England and saw the amazing efficiency of roundabouts,” Wilson said.
Martha Ann Trapp added that she thinks people from Blythewood could maneuver the circles without any issues, just like she does.
All of this development has been spurred on by the Scout Motors project, which Councilman Livingston said he believes will be transformational for the area.
“The greatest thing we’ve done for our county, as it relates to having its impact on jobs, funding resources for tax revenues, things of that nature. You know, in all my time on county council, I can’t think of any particular thing we’ve done that is as transformative as this particular project," Livingston said.
We asked county officials when the next stage of the widening project would begin, but they were unable to provide a timeline.