WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. — Street Squad first told you back in January that people in this West Columbia community are concerned about an intersection at the corner of Kitti Wake Drive and Emanuel Church Road.
Viola Paxton says she has lived at this intersection for almost 43 years, and says her home was one of those hit by a vehicle. She’s been trying to improve the safety in front of her home since the 1980s.
“It’s just not safe here anymore. A four-way stop doesn’t really get their attention because it hasn’t been that long ago somebody came through here and knock the stop sign down completely and just kept on going through the intersection,” said Paxton.
In the past few years, several cars have crashed into homes, and people who live around here say they worry someone is going to die one of the crashes.
Robert King who lives near the intersection thinks safety needs to improve.
“There’s a bunch of crazy drivers around here. They speed, they don’t know how to work the four way. Definitely something needs to happen at this intersection,” explained King.
Street Squad Lexington now knows the South Carolina Department of Transportation has completed another traffic study after you requested they look into the intersection.
Lori Campbell, a district traffic engineer with SCDOT, says they’ve updated their traffic counts and crash data.
“The new count data confirmed earlier evaluations,” said Campbell. “Traffic volumes at this intersection are approaching those that would warrant signalization, however installation of left turn lanes on the major approaches would be needed prior to signalizing the intersection.”
Campbell says the crash data would not warrant putting up signal lights at the intersection alone.
“The predominant crash type was rear end collision, which would be expected to increase with installation of a traffic signal without left turn lanes,” explained Campbell.
To help drivers know a four-way stop is ahead, Campbell says SCDOT has signs up before you get to the intersection.
“There are oversized 'Stop' and 'Stop Ahead' signs with reflective strips on the sign supports mounted on both sides of all approaches, except westbound Kitti Wake,” said Campbell. “For that approach, there are dual mounted 'Stop Ahead' signs, but only a single 'Stop' sign mounted on the right hand side of the road, due to conflicts with a driveway on the left hand side of the road.”
SCDOT says until funding can be provided for left turn lanes at this intersection, they will not be able to put a traffic light.
What News 19 can say now is the intersection has been put on SCDOT’s COATS list. This means it could see improvements later down the road.
It’s because of people in the community, like Paxton, who brought this to Street Squads’ attention, that’s helping make a change to the place they call home.
King says he’s happy to know SCDOT is listening to their concerns.
“I’m glad to see they’re acknowledging it,” said King. “I hope they can get something done here soon.”
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