COLUMBIA, S.C. — In Downtown Columbia, local transportation leaders plan to present alternatives to current downtown train track crossings to the public in about two weeks.
This is all part of a nearly $300 million project called the "Assembly Street Railroad Separation Project," led by the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT).
As any local to Columbia knows, it's no shocker that sometimes downtown Columbia traffic means stopping for a train -- or two, or three.
"Everybody that lives right here and on down, they deal with it every once in a while," Columbia resident Tylik Gantt said.
Gantt lives off Assembly Street and said the traffic backups can be inconvenient.
"Sometimes like when you go to work, and sometimes when you're going somewhere important, the train just stops, and it just be for hours and hours and hours," Gantt said. "It stops people’s time and it messes up people’s schedules."
"Everybody understands and immediately knows what you're talking about when you bring up this rail crossing elimination and the inconvenience that's there," said Clint Shealy, assistant city manager of Columbia Water.
Shealy said the city has been working on this nearly $300 million project with SCDOT, the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Railroad Administration for quite some time now.
They're still navigating federal, state and city grant funding sources, with Shealy adding that the new penny tax will help.
In an upcoming SCDOT meeting, members of the public will be able to help give their input on the preferred alternative to the existing railroad tracks.
According to Shealy, rail-over-road is the leading candidate compared to road-over-rail.
"That means road below rail track. So, no at-grade crossings. Trying to eliminate as many of those as possible," Shealy said.
Shealy said that car and train traffic will continue to grow, so it needs to be addressed.
"This is the crossroads of our state. We're right here in Columbia and so much activity, the university, the statehouse and the center of commerce for the Midlands," Shealy said.
He's hopeful the project will get grant approvals in the new year. SCDOT said on the project's website that they expect to have a decision on federal backing by May of next year.
SCDOT is holding an in-person meeting on Dec. 11, 2024, at 701 Whaley St. so the public can review and comment on this project.
You can also give feedback online at SCDOT's website until Jan. 11, 2025.