Another great example of growth management by Ron "Double" Cross and his money hungry band of bandits.
Motorists regularly experiencing bottle-necked traffic on a portion of North Belair Road might one day enjoy a bit more elbow room.
Columbia County officials are negotiating the purchase of rights of way along North Belair Road between Washington and Evans to Locks roads to widen it from two to five lanes.
However, it might be a while before work gets under way.
County officials approved the $4.9 million project about a year ago, but the purchasing efforts started only recently.
It isn't known how long it will take to acquire the rights of way.
"That's up in the air," said Scott Herring, the county's director of construction and maintenance services.
"If everybody is a willing seller, it could go quickly. If we have some unwilling sellers, it could take several months," Mr. Herring said.
Once purchasing is complete, construction could take 18 to 24 months, Mr. Herring said.
At least two businesses fronting that section of North Belair Road welcome the widening.
"I'm sure the county has done plenty of research, and if they think it's necessary to widen the road there to benefit traffic flow, then I'd say it's probably going to be a good thing in the long run," said Steve Fennell, the manager of Lowe's in Evans.
Huddle House Manager Ginger Reese agreed.
"I think it will help the traffic move a little more freely," she said.
Neither showed much concern for problems the widening could create.
Accessing the parking lot of the Huddle House shouldn't change because of an extra three lanes, Ms. Reese said.
"It's not easy to get in and out of this place anyway," she said. "I don't see that changing."
Mr. Fennell doesn't expect Lowe's to lose many, if any, of its parking spaces to make room for more road.
"I don't think that will be a big concern," he said.
"When we built the building, there was plenty of easement involved with that for future growth."
Reach Donnie Fetter at (706) 868-1222, ext. 115, or donnie.fetter@augustachronicle.com.
Comments
Another great example of growth management by Ron "Double" Cross and his money hungry band of bandits.
I thought they just redid this section, adding the turn lane. So no one had any idea before that work that it wouldn't be adequate? Once again, our planning committee didn't.
Those extra lanes won't reduce the wait at the light, it may increase it. It just happens to be a confluence of five lane roads connecting distant sides of the county. Belair goes all the way from Fort Gordon to Fury's Ferry, and Washington goes all the way from Beech Island to Lincolnton. Not only that, but the intersection itself is a distination with Lowe's, Home Depot, Cracker Barrel, etc. There is no fix, just deal with it. These waits are so miniscule compared to Alpharetta or anything else in Atlanta. Be thankful.
NEone,
FYI, that widening was done IN ANTICIPATION of this further widening.
The next time you drive through there you might stop and notice that all of the drain piping, infrastructure, and landscaping on the Lowe's side is much further from the road than anywhere else. This was done with the knowledge that the road would be widened again to 5 lanes.
Actually, the planning was there a long time before the funding.
I'd like to know why CC couldn't do it right the first time and make it the width it needs to be. It's not like Lowes and Home Depot brought in the traffic needed to justify the widening, the need for this many lanes has been there for years. This is just another fine example of CC's inefficient planning and our county commissioners paying more attention to leisure projects instead of needed projects. Put fun on the back burner and approve some truly needed projects in our county Mr. Doublecross and company!
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