BLYTHEWOOD – Blythewood’s traffic was unexpectedly brought to its knees Thursday, Oct, 31 as the county began construction on Blythewood Road, closing one lane in preparation to work on the proposed traffic circle in front of Cobblestone Park, Blythewood’s representative to Richland County Council Derek Pugh said he received a number of complaints from the community and even got stuck in the traffic himself.
While the County agreed to move the construction to nighttime hours the following week, Pugh said he was again deluged with complaints as the work continued on Friday morning.
“A school administrator said students could not be picked up on time the day before. Companies were complaining that the traffic standstill was unreasonable, and residents said they were missing dental appointments, nail appointments, etc.” Pugh said.
“That was unacceptable,” he told The Voice. “I got with county officials who arranged for the construction to be shut down by 1 p.m., Friday. It was to continue at night hours only, starting the next week, Monday, Nov. 4.”
WLTX-TV reported that, “While the change will make things easier for drivers, Richland County Public Works Director Mike Maloney said it will increase the project’s cost.”
Maloney was also quoted on the program as saying that “residents can always call the Ombudsman’s Office at 929-6000 if they have issues with the county.”
However, Nicole Latham posted on Facebook that she had called the ombudsman’s office and that the office had not been able to confirm the construction plans. Notices had not been issued to town hall or the media that construction was beginning Oct. 31. Pugh said that he, too, was unaware that the lane was going to be closed.
The county has since issued a notice (on Wednesday) that night work on Blythewood Road will begin on Sunday, Nov. 17, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Pugh said he understands that it should continue for about four days.
