Transportation director details sidewalk progress, Broad River Road groundbreaking and penny project scoring

Director Michael Maloney gave the Richland County advisory board a progress report on March 2 covering sidewalks, utility relocations, resurfacing and a scheduled groundbreaking for the Broad River Road widening project.

"Broad River Road widening bids were received, and the project was awarded. Groundbreaking ceremony for the Broad River Road widening project is March 3 at 10AM at Eastlake Community Church, which is 10057 Broad River Road," Maloney said.

Maloney said the Forest Drive sidewalk section had been brought to a consistent five-foot width after guardrail, water main and fiber relocations, and that Sunset Sidewalk—which had a recent ribbon-cutting—still requires punch-list work including a 100-foot relocation of a hidden item and night asphalt work to correct a low spot.

He said Atlas Road Phase 1A is nearing completion and Phase 1B bids were received. He also reported resurfacing work in District 89 with two remaining roads and a final dirt-road package underway in Lower Richland (District 10).

In response to questions about whether the new penny would be used to continue already-started projects, Maloney said projects put in the 2024 needs assessment were initially scored and that those scores are used as the starting point for selection. He described six factors used in the scoring (posted on richlandpenny.com), with safety the largest single category, plus blight reduction, outside funding, stakeholder support, economic development and other criteria. Maloney said the county reserves an "emerging needs" category to address needs that arise after the 2024 assessment.

On project prioritization, Maloney said outside funding raises a project's score (he gave an example where $2.5 million from a regional fund combined with $1.5 million from the penny was scored favorably) and that routes to parks or schools receive higher priority with the CTC. He encouraged local representatives to engage with the CTC review process and noted the county engineer had submitted a Sand Hill Road application for Eastover.

Public commenter Vince Jackson reported transit ridership figures during the meeting, saying passenger trips counted in January changed compared with prior years; Maloney and staff noted some audio cutoff during Jackson's remarks and said they would follow up where necessary.

Board members asked follow-up questions about which projects had punch-list items (Maloney said Sunset Drive) and about preconstruction timing for Hunt Club sidewalks; Maloney said Hunt Club is at preconstruction and that bids were received for related sidewalk projects.

Maloney said the county will provide more information as project awards and CTC estimates are finalized; he indicated Atlas Road Phase 1B will go to the transportation ad hoc committee for award recommendation.