ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. — Last week, the Orangeburg County Transportation Committee took a significant step forward by improving a $1.8 million project targeting bridges and roads throughout the county.
A total of four bridges, including Buck Creek and Long Branch, and 12 roads will receive a facelift benefitting people in Cope, Rowesville, Elloree, Livingston, the city of Orangeburg and more with bridges being maintained and roads resurfaced over the next two years.
Jackie Fogle is the chair of the Orangeburg County Transportation Committee. He says there was a process in choosing where needed work.
“We look at all kinds of different reasons, how many people live on the road, how much traffic is on it and one of the other things we look at is the maintenance cost," said Fogle. "How much has it been costing the maintain that road versus if we go in an repair it we wont have to spend that money in the near future.”
The $1.8 million dollar investment comes from the South Carolina Department of Transportation's C-Fund Program, which is fueled by the state’s gasoline tax.
Kathy Jenkins is the executive director of Orangeburg County First Steps, which is located on Laurel Street, one of the roads that will be repaved in the City of Orangeburg.
“I’m excited about that. We’ve been at this location since 2017, and this road has needed repairs since 2017," said Jenkins. "Being right across the street form DHEC, as well as MUSC Children’s Health, we see a lot of young clients coming through this area, and to have the traffic coming through with the roads being bad ... I’m really excited to see that we’re going to have some improvements for our community.”
The Orangeburg County Transportation Committee anticipates bridge projects to be completed by February of 2025, while road projects are expected to wrap up by early 2027.
“We are trying to improve the roads of Orangeburg County the best we can, and unfortunately we don’t have the money or the time to get all the roads done immediately," said Fogle. "Well you know some people think we’re left out, which they aren’t, We’re going to get to them eventually.”
Below are the roads and bridges that will soon see work and the cost estimates:
- Cleveland Street - $175,000
- Garland Road - $225,000
- Second Street - $20,000
- Lilac Street - $20,000
- Sumter Street - $60,000
- Dragstrip Road - $450,000
- Walter Drive - $95,000
- Gate Road - $45,000
- Hanging Leaf Road - $90,000
- Woodedge Road - $50,000
- Holly Street - $100,000
- Laurel Street - $70,000
- Cedar Swamp bridge - $46,000
- Long Branch bridge - $70,000
- Snake Swamp bridge - $86,000
- Buck Creek bridge - $31,000
If you think the road you live on in Orangeburg County needs to be improved, you can reach out to the transportation committee at 803-533-6106.