COLUMBIA, S.C. — Richland County residents were given an opportunity Thursday night to speak and learn about Richland County transportation projects.
The focus coming from Richland District 9 Councilwoman Jessica Mackey Thursday night was one of growth and explanation. She spoke as Richland County hosted its seventh transportation meeting. According to county officials, the meetings were started to get feedback from residents and highlight current projects. The county's Transportation Penny Department and a consulting service host the meetings for the public. Thursday's meeting focuses specifically on District Nine roads.
"County council wants to hear what is it that you need in the future as develop this transportation needs assessment plan. Figure out how can we plan for the future growth, how can we address the needs that you're seeing whether it's the roads, sidewalks, pathways, or widening roads, or a new exit - that's really what we want to hear so my response has been, 'please tell me know, I want to hear you concerns so we can figure out how to plan for it," she adds, "There's a lot of growth in the northeast, especially folks want to know about 'when am I going to get a sidewalk? What about new roads? When are projects going to start?', what they want to see if the future."
According to data from the county, the penny tax has paid for well over one hundred projects in District Nine alone. Over 70 roads have been resurfaced, totaling 16 miles, in addition to 2.6 miles of dirt roads that have been paved. The county also says there are plans to improve the intersection at Clemson Road and Sparkleberry Lane and put sidewalks along those roads and Polo Road.
"We know that we already have the growth, with scout motors, we anticipate even more growth. So making sure that people can navigate the county through roads, public transportation, sidewalks, all those things those you have to plan for, so the council wants to make sure that we're doing that in a proactive manner," Mackey explains.
We spoke with residents in the area like Robert Grooms, who says he's hoping the county can find better ways to spend the money and speed up projects around the district.
"Your neighborhoods, not the main roads that are being used. They're always re-covering the roads, and not those roads that really need surfaces. I don't mind the penny tax, it's worth it," he says.
if you weren't able to make it out Thursday, you can find another meeting here on the Richland County website.