Motorists and pedestrians traveling along Rabbit Run Road will need to find alternate routes starting in early November, when the roadway closes for about two months for a drainage construction project.
As part of the Southeast Richland Neighborhood Improvements Project (SERN), Rabbit Run Road will close for about 60 days beginning on or around Nov. 11. Crews will build culverts to improve drainage along the roadway and address flooding in neighborhoods near Branch Creek. Pre-construction work has begun already.
“The installation of these new, larger culverts will relieve some of the historic flooding problems of that area and road damage that occurs from that flooding,” said Michael Niermeier, director of the Richland County Transportation Program.
The road’s closure will impact motorists and pedestrians, residents of the nearby Richland Hills and Alexander Pointe subdivisions, as well as school traffic.
Detour signs along Trotter Road, Lower Richland Boulevard, Bitternut Drive, Starling Goodson Road, Garners Ferry Road and at the intersection of Rosecliff Circle and Rabbit Run Road will help redirect traffic during construction.
"Fixing the drainage on Rabbit Run has been a top priority for nearby residents for years,” said Councilwoman Chakisse Newton, District 11. “This project will improve the quality of life for the community, and everyone I have spoken with is excited to see it move forward."
Richland Hills residents will have to use the Lower Richland Boulevard end of Rabbit Run Road to access the neighborhood, while Alexander Pointe residents can use Trotter Road for access.
Motorists on Lower Richland Boulevard and Trotter Road can anticipate higher traffic than normal while Rabbit Run Road is closed.
A public meeting on the project will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23 at the Richland County Sheriff’s Department substation, 2615 Lower Richland Blvd., Hopkins, on the campus of Lower Richland High School.