“Road Closed” in Johnston, SC…Four Months Ago

Edgefield County, SC—It’s produce season at Three Star Vineyard and Orchard, but owner Kenny Hutchins’ grapes aren’t the only sour things this year.

Kenny Hutchins, Owner, Three Star Vineyard and Orchard: “The road’s been closed since March. Our trucks, trailers hauling produce, have to take an extended route, 7-8 miles around.“

His vineyard sits along Holmes Pond Road, but since he can’t use it, he’s going the long way around, and every day, it costs him money.

Hutchins: “Since the season, it’s costing us at least $1,000-1,500 a week. And there’s 23 other families on this road, it’s costing everybody on this road, all I want is for the road to get fixed.“

Back in March, ‘road closed’ signs went up, after rainwater came down…and the erosion formed a giant swirling drain on one side of the road, and a sinkhole on the other.

Fast-forward, and the signs are still up, the gaping hole, still here.

SC Department of Transportation (SCDOT) officials tell us they are waiting on the pond owner to fix the hole in the dam, before their work on the road can begin. But, the pond owner tells us, he can’t repair any part of that road, because he doesn’t own the road, and he’d be liable for future accidents that might happen.

SCDOT officials say if they can’t get cooperation, they may have to drain the pond, something the owner does not want.

And, as for Kenny Hutchins, he’s not picky about who gets it done; just that it gets done…soon.

Hutchins: “Please fix the road!“

SCDOT officials say they do not know when work will begin on that road. The pond owner is currently in negotiation with SCDOT.