COLUMBIA: Traffic Woes Could Soon Be a Thing of the Past!
Hey there, Columbia friends! If you’ve ever grumbled about your daily drive through the Midlands, you’re definitely not alone. Seems like the rush hour traffic has taken on a life of its own, and it appears that relief might finally be on the way. That’s right! A regional planning group is gearing up to tackle our traffic troubles. The Central Midlands Council of Governments (CMCOG) is rolling out an ambitious plan to ease those pesky congestion headaches along our busiest roads, and guess what? They want to hear what you think!
Give Us Your Thoughts!
CMCOG is seeking community input through the end of the year. They are hosting a series of public meetings across our lovely region, including spots in downtown Columbia, Chapin, Fairfield County, Greater Lexington, Northeast Columbia, and Newberry County. After gathering your feedback, they plan to unveil their findings and project recommendations in February. So, if you have ideas on how to make those commutes smoother, this is your chance to speak up!
Where’s the Traffic Jam?
Now, let’s talk about the real reason behind all this—traffic! According to the bright minds at Kimley-Horn, a Raleigh-based consulting firm, they’ve mapped out where our major traffic jams are likely to hit. Spoiler alert: congested zones pop up most during those prime commute times from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and again from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. It turns out, getting on the interstate isn’t the only issue; the roads leading to them are also packed to the brim!
Some high-traffic areas have been flagged as *particularly troublesome*. The infamous Five Points area tops the list for car accidents, along with Bush River Road and the notorious “Malfunction Junction”. Yikes! It seems like after 4 p.m., things can get downright frustrating on our local roadways.
Paving the Way for Solutions
If you thought building more roads was the simple answer, think again! Jonathan Guy, vice president at Kimley-Horn, mentioned that we really can’t build our way out of congestion. He shares that we must rethink how we use our roads. Could we encourage more folks to ride the bus? Or maybe change up some land-use plans so that residents can live closer to work? And let’s not forget about the introduction of technology to streamline our traffic flow!
A cool note for the future: when Scout Motors opens up in 2026, the Midlands is expected to welcome about 4,000 new commuters. That will surely shake up our traffic statistics, but the planning team is ready to tackle the changes head-on!
A Look at the Bigger Picture
Did you know there was a traffic study completed last year? It zeroed in on easing congestion in East Columbia, particularly around Garners Ferry Road and Fort Jackson Boulevard. But don’t stop there! We’re also looking at overall vehicle pollution. A climate impact report from 2024 has Columbia ranked among the worst spots for vehicle emissions. It’s a staggering reminder that, as much as we love our cars, the current setup isn’t helping the environment!
Walking and Biking Get a Boost
However, there is light at the end of the tunnel! Columbia is making strides in promoting walking and biking with the help of a complete streets plan from the South Carolina Department of Transportation. This plan, adopted in 2021, aims to usher in pedestrian-friendly projects, which is a big win for all of us.
So, there you have it, Columbia! The wheels are in motion to tackle our traffic troubles, but they need your voice! Join the conversation at upcoming public meetings and let’s pave the way towards a smoother commute—together.
