Be a Part of Hard Scrabble Road Widening Project

Do you want safer places to ride your bicycle?  Do you want to see more bike lanes in South Carolina?  Do you want to be a better bicycle advocate?  If you answered YES to any of these questions, then step one is to become involved in transportation projects.  This is where you as a citizen and tax-payer can ensure that bicycle facilities are included in the roads that you travel everyday.

We cannot underscore the importance of being a part of the road design process.  This process is typically very complicated and may extend over many years, but with the knowledge and proper tools, advocates can influence this process in many ways and throughout the length of the project.

For residents of Richland County and Northeast Columbia, there is a valuable opportunity to be a part of a road widening project while it is in its early stage.  SCDOT just announced their proposed project to widen Hard Scrabble Road.  On December 14, 2010, from 5-7pm, they are hosting a public information meeting to allow residents to drop-in and learn more about the project.  This meeting will take place at the Ridge View High School Auditorium, located at 4801 Hard Scrabble Road.  A short presentation will be made at 6pm and project staff will be available to answer questions and present materials.

Not only will this meeting provide you an opportunity to learn more about the project, but you will also have the opportunity to:

• Submit requests and provide input on alternatives and recommend inclusion of bicycling accommodations if they do not currently exist;
• Get to know the project manager, Ladd Gibson (who coincidentally also oversees many other road projects in the region);
• Question assumptions and check for incorrect data.

It is crucial to make suggestions early in this process, as changes are difficult to incorporate further along in the process.  Your presence at the December 14 meeting is so valuable!  Read more information about the project here and make plans to be at the meeting.

For more information on how to be involved in the road design Process, check out this incredible resource produced by Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling.