Mayors, others bothered by road delays in Fort Mill, Tega Cay and Indian Land

Local elected officials say they hear how frustrated residents are with the pace of road improvements and are equally vexed.

Local mayors, planners and elected officials met Feb. 26 in Rock Hill as part of the Rock Hill-Fort Mill Area Transportation Study. The group meets almost monthly to talk transportation plans in Fort Mill, Rock Hill, Tega Cay, Indian Land and part of Lake Wylie. Part of those meetings is an update on coming or ongoing project.

The problem, group members said Friday, is those updates aren’t changing.

“I’ve seen all of these slides last month,” said George Sheppard, Tega Cay mayor. “I’m not seeing anything happening. I’m not seeing anything change.”

Guynn Savage, Fort Mill mayor, said when there are changes, they aren’t welcomed ones.

“The only thing that’s changing is the dates keep moving out further and further,” she said.

Last year, RFATS and Pennies for Progress leaders discussed ways they could work together to speed up construction projects. They discussed RFATS, the distributor of federal transportation money at any time, but in smaller amounts, helping get projects ready for Pennies, which can devote more to construction costs, but only every seven years when approved by York County voters.

Road planners see the years-long process for most projects as a concern, and continue looking at ways to speed it up.

“It is a priority,” said David Hooper, RFATS director.

Yet, issues arise.

Along with RFATS and Pennies, funding sources include the South Carolina Department of Transportation and local municipalities – often more than one at a time. Projects involve designers, contractors, pavers and inspectors. They depend on weather and supply costs, among other factors.

Kati Price, who began as program manager on local projects with SCDOT in October, said under normal circumstances, delays aren’t uncommon.

“That’s normal in project development,” she said.

Plus, historic floods in South Carolina last fall had “a dramatic effect,” she said, on projects and construction costs statewide. Projecting out projects over months or years is difficult, even on high profile projects. Price said she is “not sure,” for instance, whether improvements underway at S.C. 160 and Gold Hill Road will be completed this year.

Savage said she understands the nature of large-scale road construction. But as someone who answers to her community, she knows how disheartening delays can be.

“I also know when that becomes the norm, you backload that into the estimate,” Savage said. “It’s frustrating when you’re in the community and you’re getting the questions, and you’re giving a time frame you know likely won’t happen.”

Below are the latest estimates on a few area projects of note:

U.S. 521/Marvin Road

Money was assigned to the project in February, for intersection improvements at an already busy site in Indian Land. The intersection will generate thousands more daily trips in coming years with the approval of residential and commercial projects nearby. A scoping meeting will be held this spring to add detail to plans. Construction is planned for 2018.

The $756,000 project is a combination of federal (80 percent) and state (20 percent) money.

S.C. 160 widening

Money was assigned in 2010 for S.C. 160 widening from Possum Hollow Road in Indian Land to the York County line at Sugar Creek. The road will become three lanes from Sugar Creek to Rosemont Drive, and five lanes the rest of the way. The $13.4 million comes from federal money ($9.6 million from Catawba Regional Council of Governments and $1.1 million from RFATS) and $2.6 million in matching state funds.

Final design and right-of-way acquisition is underway. Right-of-way and utility work has caused delays. A recent construction cost increase of $1.7 million will add to the project. Bids on the project should come this summer. Construction should take three years.

Pleasant Road/Carowinds Boulevard

Money was assigned in 2010 for intersection improvements at Pleasant Road and Carowinds Boulevard, where Carowinds is expanding an exit gate. A scoping meeting was held in February, with cost and design updates expected. The $1.6 million project includes money from a federal air quality grant ($800,000), RFATS ($480,000), a York County match ($200,000) and state match ($120,000).

Construction may not begin until 2019 or later, taking up to three years.

S.C. 160/I-77

An interchange reconfiguration is planned for S.C. 160 and I-77. Federal money and a state match account for $3 million. Construction funding is expected to be included on the next Pennies for Progress referendum. A scoping meeting should happen this summer. Right-of-way acquisition wouldn’t be until at least 2018, with construction following. Scope, schedule and costs are still to be determined.

S.C. 160 at Gold Hill Road/Zoar Road

Turn lanes, improved traffic signals and alignment changes are planned for S.C. 160 from Gold Hill to Zoar roads. The $9.9 million project combines federal and Pennies money. Wet weather last fall delayed utility work in the area. The listed completion date is summer 2016, but a revision is “expected and is being evaluated,” according to SCDOT. Utility relocation costs recently increased by more than $532,000.

Blythe Construction is working on the project.

Lake Ridge Trail

Paved trails will be added along the Lake Ridge development in Tega Cay. It could cost up to $875,000. Federal air quality money and a Tega Cay match provide $630,000. The project has “experienced significant delays by high bids,” according to SCDOT.

Springfield Parkway

Sidewalks along Springfield Parkway, A.O. Jones Boulevard and within Nation Ford High School are planned. Federal air quality and Fort Mill money are involved. A 2013 estimate had the project at $1.52 million. The grant and town money comes to $621,000. The project is on hold until more funding is identified.

Clebourne Street/North White Street

A $1.3 million project is planned at Clebourne and North White streets in Fort Mill. A right turn lane is planned from Clebourne onto North White. A traffic study is complete, with utility work and preliminary design underway. Project schedule and costs are subject to change. Construction bids could come in fall 2017.

U.S. 21 Business bridge over Steele Creek

A $6.5 million replacement of the U.S. 21 Business bridge over Steele Creek in Fort Mill is planned. Federal and state bridge money will pay for it. Money for right-of-way could come late this year or early next, with construction bidding likely by early 2018. The project will involve a 4.5-mile detour onto S.C. 160, U.S. 21 and Springfield Parkway.

This story was originally published March 2, 2016 at 5:09 PM with the headline "Mayors, others bothered by road delays in Fort Mill, Tega Cay and Indian Land."