COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Central Midlands Council of Governments would like your opinion on traffic congestion in the Midlands.
This regional planning body said it has been working with the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) on a traffic management plan since late 2023. Leaders involved with this group said the Federal Highway Administration requires them to update their Congestion Management Plan.
"Our goal is always to work in concert to improve the transportation network. So when we know that there's areas of congestion, we want to focus our efforts to make good decisions and trying to address that. Better flow of the transportation system is going to benefit everyone. And anything that we can do to assist in helping with that better flow is going to be a positive thing," Reginald Simmons, the transportation director, said.
The group said it plans to collect feedback through a public survey until Dec. 31. Then, it will host more public meetings. The goal is to come up with solutions within the first quarter of the new year.
Simmons said their data from earlier in the year shows some problem areas.
"Congestion in the Lexington area, obviously. Richland County. Downtown Columbia, out to Forest Acres. Some congestion showing up in the Chapin area," Simmons said.
The group hopes that several people will fill out the survey to express their concerns about congested areas in the region.
"We certainly want everybody to participate. As much feedback as we can get, the better the plan that we can do," Simmons said.
He said the problem areas are often on the interstates or corridors that feed directly into the interstate system.
Simmons said the survey has five tabs with categories and rate prompts. It also includes an interactive map of a.m. and p.m. congestion.
The group's next public meeting is scheduled for Dec. 18, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the Lexington Chamber of Commerce.
