I received the following email from our County Councilman, Bill Malinowski, this week and I wanted to share with you. Please take the time to let him know your thoughts and opinions.
********
Richland County Council must decide if a one percent tax should be put on the November ballot for voters to decide. This one percent tax would be with us for 8 years and raise $521.48 million for transportation to include:
1. Bicycle, Greenways and Pedestrian Modes ($67.5 million)
2. Vehicular Traffic Improvements/Roads ($303.5 million)
3. Public Transit and Transit-Oriented Development. ($185 million)
The actual analysis was done for a 25 year plan and this would only be the first phase of three if voters continue to keep it in place.
I asked the question at council during the work session this week, “How many miles of dirt roads will be paved in Richland County with the $15 million set aside for that project?” No one could give me an answer, but they could give me exactly how many miles of bike paths, foot paths and sidewalks would be done.
There is $42 million slated for our District 1 during the 8 years. The projects that would consume those funds would be widening of Rte. 176 from Royal Tower in Irmo to the Peak interchange at I-26, a restructuring of the Coogler/Kennerly Road intersection at Ascot and additional turn lanes and road work at Broad River/Kennerly and Kinley. The Rte 176 construction would create 5 lanes, bike paths and sidewalks the entire length. Plus whatever small part of the dirt road paving we may get.
I would like to have as much input as possible from all constituents in order to determine if we should put this matter on the ballot or not.
Please contact as many people as possible and provide me with input, or have them contact me as soon as possible.
Thank you for your assistance and input in this matter.
Bill Malinowski
malinowski@rcgov.us