News Summary
A $25.5 million upgrade to South Main Street in Columbia aims to enhance pedestrian safety and the area’s visual appeal. The project includes narrowing roads, adding bike lanes, and improving sidewalks, making it more inviting for residents and visitors. The redevelopment focuses on safer cycling routes and aims to connect the University of South Carolina with the Statehouse, reflecting Columbia’s commitment to creating pedestrian-friendly environments.
Columbia
The South Main Street area leading to the back steps of South Carolina’s Statehouse has undergone a significant transformation, with a major upgrade costing $25.5 million. This project aims to enhance pedestrian safety and improve the aesthetic appeal of the area, making it more inviting for both residents and visitors.
As part of the two-year project, the previous five-lane road has been narrowed to just two car lanes over a four-block stretch. The alterations include extended sidewalks, the installation of seating options for coffee shops and restaurants, dedicated bike lanes, and efforts to bury overhead power lines. Enhanced landscaping has added more trees and decorative planters, presenting a postcard-worthy view of the historic Statehouse.
One of the standout features of this redevelopment is the introduction of green bike lanes, which run parallel to the sidewalks. These lanes offer cyclists a safe route, as they are separated from vehicle traffic and pedestrians by landscaping and streetlights. This bike lane design marks a first of its kind in South Carolina, aiming to promote safer cycling routes throughout the state.
South Main Street is a vital thoroughfare that connects the University of South Carolina to the Statehouse, serving as a significant route for students, legislators, and tourists alike. The Department of Transportation’s Director has pointed out that the newly improved area enhances both safety and beauty for all who traverse it.
The funding for this substantial project has come from a combination of state, county, city, and federal contributions, although specific breakdowns of the financial sources have not been disclosed by the Department of Transportation. This initiative follows recent improvements on Harden Street, where a previous $12 million project similarly reduced car lanes while incorporating pedestrian safety features.
A 2020 study revealed that Harden Street was one of the most dangerous areas for cyclists and pedestrians in South Carolina. As a response, state representatives, including one who sponsored an $850,000 earmark for improvements on South Main Street, hope that these upgrades will make the area safer for families, allowing children to enjoy the district without fear.
The enhancements to South Main Street represent ongoing efforts in Columbia to improve walkability and safety as part of broader city plans aimed at developing more pedestrian-friendly environments. Future improvements are planned for Assembly Street, which will also focus on enhancing pedestrian safety through wider sidewalks and better medians.
In summary, this project reflects a commitment to improving mobility and safety on South Carolina’s roadways and creating spaces that balance vehicular access with pedestrian and cyclist needs.
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Additional Resources
- SC Daily Gazette: Backdoor to SCS Statehouse Receives a $25M Makeover
- Wikipedia: South Carolina
- WLTX: SCDOT Hardens Street, South Main Street, Columbia, SC
- Google Search: Columbia SC news
- WIS TV: SCDOT Completes Construction of Two Downtown Columbia Roads
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Columbia, South Carolina
- Post and Courier: Assembly, Gervais, Harden Main Traffic Road Work Project, Columbia, SC
- Google News: Columbia South Carolina projects
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