Silver Lining For Silver Bluff Road Residents

Aiken, SC—Bill Busser’s house sits along side Silver Bluff Road, and talk of it being taken from 2 lanes to 5…sent him into action.
Bill Busser, Aiken, SC: “We got the neighbors altogether and got petitions signed and all of the people alone the street were upset with it.“
Anne Coscioni, Aiken, SC: “I think it would increase the traffic flow and just more congestion, more noise.“
George Stringer, Aiken, SC: “I don’t want it widened, because that’d be a race track.“
   
During a meeting last year, Bill says 600 residents showed up to voice their objections.
Busser: “We had a very big turnout, the state was impressed.”
   
Impressed…and impacted. So much so, that transportation officials began to look into alternatives.
   
The committee in charge of the project asked the department of transportation to look at adding traffic lights and turn lanes to the road, instead of widening Silver Bluff.
   
The DOT suggested adding turn lanes to four intersections….and traffic lights to two of them.
Coscioni: “I think it’s a lot better and the Woodside residents will be very happy.“
   
And county officials say, at this point, the think it’s the right route to take.

Stringer: “I’m all for that. If you put lights and some turn lanes that gives everybody a chance to get out.“
 
Busser: “I think everybody’s happy with the solution we’ve got.“
   
County transportation officials say northing is set in stone yet. They plan to have a public meeting next spring and present the DOT’s plans to residents. If all goes well at that meeting, officials say they’ll begin work on the road next fall.