Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Road Projects topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
RIDe updates: dirt roads paved, 501 widening moves into lane-shift phase; revenues close to projections
Summary
RIDe staff reported 6.83 miles of Group 3 dirt roads paved, mobilization on Highway 701 delayed by weather but imminent, progress on 501 mainline widening (new third lane and barrier wall installation), and that February–March revenues are tracking close to projections with a full-year picture expected after April.
RIDe staff told the committee several road and intersection projects are active and that revenue collections so far this year generally track projections.
Anna Barnhill provided the update, saying RIDe has paved 6.83 miles in Group 3 dirt-road projects and is actively constructing multiple segments including Bedford, Maple Wild, Sweet Home and Turner Road. “We are now have 6.83 miles paved,” Barnhill said.
Barnhill reported that contractor mobilization has begun on Highway 701 and that Santee Cooper crews have been relocating poles to clear the work zone. Because of recent weather, crews had not fully started, but Barnhill said lane-control setup and equipment mobilization are underway and activity should increase as conditions improve.
On the 501 mainline widening, staff said the new third lane base has been installed and this week crews planned to install a barrier wall that will shift traffic to the two outside lanes so median drainage and other work can proceed over the summer. Barnhill said most work during summer will avoid lane closures where possible, with drainage work staged in the median and final paving planned when lane-closure restrictions are lifted.
Barnhill also reviewed project timing for several larger design-stage projects. For projects currently in design, staff estimated a typical design schedule of 24–36 months and construction durations of around two to three years, though she said simpler projects could be accelerated.
On revenues, Barnhill said the county added February and March results since the last meeting and that collections are trending close to projected revenues. When asked whether an estimated $1.5 million shortfall would be covered by April, Barnhill said it was uncertain but several committee members characterized the shortfall as manageable.
Committee members asked for timelines on high-complaint corridors (River Oaks, Dust Plantation and the Grissom interchange) and staff said reviews and permitting are underway on some projects and tighter schedules on certain interchanges could move work sooner.
Barnhill closed by noting drone imagery of a completed Loris winding project and a slate of upcoming projects for which designers will be procured. The committee did not take formal action on RIDe projects at this meeting.
Barnhill is expected to return with more detailed schedules and clarified revenue figures as April collections are posted.
