Neighborhood News

"Brenda and Everyone,

I received the attached letter in the mail yesterday from SCDOT. They did a recent traffic count and again, the traffic numbers and accident reports did not meet DOT’s standards for a light. As you know, Sparkleberry is a state maintained road, and SCDOT has full jurisdiction. They have suggested that the Richland County Transportation Committee look into turn lanes from Sparkleberry into the Woodlands.

Every year we receive the same news, and I keep hoping each time that we will meet the numbers they require. We will continue to persevere. I will write back with a date that the County will be out on Valhalla, beginning the full depth patching process.

Take care, Val"

"Hi everyone, Thanks for your patience. I have met with all three County administrators on Valhalla to get to the bottom of this. One of the administrators then went out with the County Engineer and Director of Public Works, David Hoops, to inspect the entire length of Valhalla and has reported back. I now know why there was a mix-up in messages and what the plan is going forward. To the best of my knowledge, here is what happened:

Since 2007, the DOT funds for resurfacing roads were frozen. We normally get $1.4 million a year to resurface paved roads in the county. This spring, DOT reported they now had the funds to do the 2007 list. The county put the contract out to bid. Meanwhile, there was a change of leadership at Public Works and documents were removed. Our administration did not have the same information as Public Works had, and, as a result, Council ended up voting on misinformation. We voted to approve projects that there was no funding for. We could be made whole in August, but we won’t know until contacted by the SCDOT in August of this year.

So here’s what we’re going to do. We are going to resurface Valhalla in two stages. The first stage will start this spring, where we repair the worst areas with full depth patching (completely remove and replace areas of the road) and re- stripe the entire road. The second stage, given DOT’s funding go-ahead in August, we will resurface all of Valhalla in 2010, and add speed humps, if you get the required number of signatures. We will also re-stripe again at that time.

Staff is very aware that the community is confused and discouraged, and they have assured me that they will push this project to the front of the list, including the speed humps, if you approve them. I will keep them to their word. I was distressed and disappointed when I heard what happened, especially since I knew too well how long you have been waiting. I can’t make things perfect, but at least you’ll see some progress this year.

As I get new information, I will pass this onto you as well. David Hoops, County Engineer, has met with Brenda Snyder and discussed many of the improvements Woodlands would like to make. He is acting Director of Public Works and known to get things done. That is a step in the right direction.  If you have further questions, please write me [at hutchv@rcgov.us] – I’ll stay in touch as well. Hopefully, you’ll see machines out there soon.

Take care, Val"