Committee hears transit and project updates; staff previews Kelly Mill Road shared‑use path and upcoming awards

Richland County transportation staff briefed the Transportation Penny Advisory Committee on transit ridership gains, small-business outreach, and multiple project updates, including the Kelly Mill Road widening and shared‑use path.

Daryl Jackson Jr. of The Comet said passenger counts rose from 135,000 to 175,000 for the reported period, a 23% increase; average weekday counts were reported at roughly 6,581, with Saturday and Sunday averages around 4,000 and 3,300 respectively. Jackson noted the system began using automatic passenger counters in July, and staff expects August reporting to permit direct, consistent comparisons.

The county’s Office of Small Business Opportunity reported 278 certified businesses, 15 pending certifications and 43 renewals. A June workshop on transitioning from registration to revenue drew roughly 52 attendees and included six departments describing upcoming procurement opportunities linked to penny projects.

Transportation presenter Michael Maloney previewed design elements for Kelly Mill Road: the project proposes a three‑lane widening with a 10‑foot shared‑use path aligned to serve several schools and create a midblock pedestrian crossing near school drop‑off points. Staff discussed routing the shared‑use path toward the YMCA as a potential extension, tradeoffs at the drop‑off crossing location, context‑sensitive impacts on HOA landscaping and the need to estimate reset costs during right‑of‑way acquisition.

Maloney also reported project progress: Atlas Road phase 1A is nearly complete with phase 1B starting; authorization to begin right‑of‑way acquisition was issued for Polo Road; Trenum Newcastle sidewalks (about five miles) are scheduled for ad hoc discussion June 23 and award in early July; Pine View widening (Garners Ferry to Shock Road) is headed to council for award July 14; Crane Creek Greenway is advertised with bids expected to close in about 1–1.5 weeks for a July 14 award consideration.

Staff committed to researching whether the public sidewalk request for True Street/Davidson Road is already on an existing sidewalk plan and to coordinate with city staff and stakeholders. The committee asked staff to return next month with follow-up on the sidewalk request and on the feasibility and policy considerations for targeted street lighting, including potential solar options for high‑risk areas.

The committee also announced a ribbon cutting (July 1 at 10 a.m.) for a completed sidewalk section between Decker Boulevard and Forest Drive, funded in part by the penny program (approximately $2 million) and county transportation committee funds (approximately $2.5 million) with reimbursement arrangements discussed during the presentation.