COLUMBIA, S.C. — Tonya Lawson has lived on Leesburg Road for about two years.
When she moved into her home, she had heard rumors about the road expansion. But Lawson said she was surprised when crews showed up in April to begin the work.
She is losing about 15 yards of space as a result of the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) project that will turn her street from a two-lane road into four lanes. She said that though she was originally surprised, the work has been swift.
"I thought it was going to take longer, but now that it's coming along, it's getting it," Lawson said. "It's really coming along fast. It has been a little hectic because there's been the dozers. They've come and they'll park here or park there depending on what they're doing for the day."
Now, cones line about five miles of the road, and crews are beginning to lay the groundwork for the rest of the expansion.
Pete Poore, the communications director for SCDOT, said the work is on pace to reach its scheduled completion date of October 2025.
Poore said the first six months were spent clearing the area of trees and shrubs and that, now, utility crews will have four months to move their lines outside of the construction area.
"That's Dominion Power, Dominion Gas, AT&T, and Charter Cable, so they've gotta move their lines back," he said. "So, we want to give them four months of uninterrupted time to do that."
In addition to new lanes, Poore said a sidewalk will be added as will a drainage system similar to most updated roads. He said all of this is part of the department's 10-year plan.
Poore said there will be a bridge over Mill Creek that will also be installed during the renovations.
"You will have two-way traffic on the old right side of Leesburg Road while the left side [the side closest to Fort Jackson] is being worked on," he said. "And then, when that is finished, traffic will be moved over to the left side. But, then, work will take probably another year or so to complete the right side and, then, it all be done in October of 2025."