Richland County will soon unveil plans for upcoming improvements at a busy downtown intersection, boosting safety for drivers and pedestrians and shifting a major Penny program project into the construction phase.

On Thursday, Dec. 8, the County will share plans to improve traffic flow and safety at Bull Street and Elmwood Avenue in Columbia. At a news conference set for 11 a.m. near the entrance of the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Bull Street, County representatives and Transportation staff will offer insight on the project and answer questions.

Richland County will release more details on the project at the news conference Dec. 8. To arrange coverage, contact Susan O’Cain, the County’s director of communications: 803-576-2065 or o'cain.susan@richlandcountysc.gov.

Safety Benefits, Reduced Delays

Benefits of the project include an estimated reduction in driver wait times of nearly 60 percent, which should result in fewer cars waiting for traffic signals to change, as well as increased safety.

“There is a significant delay reduction for this intersection,” said Michael Maloney, Richland County Transportation director. “That will provide an immediate improvement by allowing more commuters and downtown patrons through the intersection, but it also will accommodate growth in the area for years to come.”

The project involves adding a lane to the eastbound side of Elmwood Avenue, creating a dedicated straight lane across the intersection with Bull Street.

The existing southbound right-turn lane from Bull Street to Elmwood Avenue will be channelized to allow traffic to continue to flow through. Bull Street will also be restriped to add an additional northbound through lane and remove a southbound dedicated right-turn lane onto Calhoun Street.

“The improvements to this intersection are going to be crucial as the Bull Street District continues to grow,” said Councilman Paul Livingston, District 4. “With more businesses and visitors coming to this area, these changes will ensure continued access for both drivers and pedestrians.”

Other improvements from the project include:

• resurfacing and restriping roads
• improving drainage
• adding landscaping along Elmwood Avenue
• upgrading traffic signals
• constructing, removing and rebuilding concrete islands
• improving pedestrian crossings

“This intersection is a major thoroughfare for many Richland County residents, and it is particularly busy during peak commuting hours in the morning and evening,” said Councilwoman Jesica Mackey, who chairs the County’s Transportation Ad Hoc Committee and represents District 9. “These improvements are going to help that traffic flow more efficiently, which will benefit a great deal of people and the businesses in the surrounding area.”

For more about Transportation improvements, visit www.richlandcountysc.gov/transportation or call 844-RCPENNY.