Public hearing set for Tuesday on Florence County road project

The S.C. Department of Transportation has scheduled a public hearing Tuesday concerning the proposed widening of a portion of U.S. 378 near Kingsburg.

The hearing will be from 5 to 7 p.m. in the of Lake City High School Commons Area, 652 N. Matthews Road. The hearing will have an informal drop-in format with displays for viewing, and SCDOT representatives will be available to answer questions individually.

The formal portion of the hearing will begin at 6 p.m., in the high school gymnasium, at which time a brief presentation will be given about the project. The informal portion of the hearing will continue during this time.

Immediately after the presentation, residents will have the opportunity to comment on the proposed improvements. Anyone who wants to do so must sign up between 5 p.m. and 5:55 p.m., when first entering the hearing. Each comment will be limited to two minutes and may not be transferred.

The purpose of the hearing is to provide an opportunity to review and discuss preliminary plans for the proposed widening of U.S. 378, from Lois Street near the intersection of U.S. 378 Business, to S.C. 41/Kingsburg Highway near Kingsburg. Proposed improvements include widening U.S. 378 from two lanes to five lanes, with a 15-foot paved median; replaceing/extending existing bridges/culverts; and various intersection upgrades throughout. SCDOT officials also will be on hand to gather information from the public or any interested organization, on historic or cultural resources in the area.

Related maps and/or drawings, the environmental assessment, and other pertinent data will be available for public review before the public hearing at the SCDOT District Office, 3018 E. Palmetto St., Florence.

This project is the second priority of six major road improvement projects collectively known as the Florence County Forward Project, funded through a combination of Local Option Sales Tax and State Transportation Infrastructure Bank funds.

The first of the six road projects, the widening of Pineneedles Road, is in its second phase and should be completed by the spring or summer of 2010.

The second is the widening of U.S. 378 and the third is the widening of U.S. 76, followed by the widening of TV Road/North Irby Street.

The two projects ranked last — the widening of of S.C. 51 (Pamplico Highway) and completion of the U.S. 301 Bypass from U.S. 76 near Timmonsville to U.S. 52, respectively — were added with the understanding that they would be funded if any money remains after the first four were completed.

The 1-cent addition to the sales tax is expected to raise $148 million to match $250 million approved by the State Infrastructure Board’s evaluation committee in July 2005.

Florence County voters approved the additional sales tax in a November 2006 referendum.

SCDOT expects construction to last two years for most of the projects.

Additional information concerning the project is available from SCDOT Program Manager Michelle James at (803) 737-4596. Those with disabilities who may require special accommodations should call Karen Davis at (803) 737-1549.