Silver Bluff may get turn lanes

A representative with the South Carolina Department of Transportation has unveiled plans that call for the addition of several turn lanes at key intersections along Silver Bluff Road in lieu of widening the thoroughfare to five lanes.

The improvements were approved unanimously by the South Carolina subcommittee of the Augusta Regional Transportation Study (ARTS) with a few provisions, laying to rest a prolonged debate which weighed the merits of widening the two-lane road versus adding turn lanes.

The state originally supported the widening - which would have transformed Silver Bluff Road from 0.4 miles west of Richardsons Lake Road to approximately 600 feet east of Indian Creek Trail from two lanes to five - but many in Aiken felt turn lanes were a better, less expensive alternative that would also damage fewer trees.

"This is far superior to the five-lane widening," said Gary Bunker, a member of Aiken County Council who was present at the meeting. "I think it's really good."

On top of approving the turn lanes, the subcommittee asked that SCDOT consider making lanes at least 24 to 39 inches wide with the exception of the turn lanes, not installing a traffic light at the entrance to Woodside Plantation, minimizing the taking of right-of-way, consider installing a left-turn lane at Savannah Drive and use curb and gutter.

"The plans are still conceptual," said Fred Cavanaugh, committee chairman and Aiken mayor. "There is still a lot of design work to do."

The plans will now be forwarded to ARTS for its consideration. Public meetings will also be held in the future to go over the turn lane plans.

BREAKOUT

Proposed turn lanes on Silver Bluff Road

Silver Bluff Road at Richardsons Lake Road (possibility of installing a traffic light at intersection)

- Northbound on Silver Bluff: left- and right turn lane

- Southbound on Silver Bluff: dual left-turn lanes and a right turn lane

- On Richardson's Lake Road: left-turn lane

Silver Bluff at Woodside Plantation Drive (possibility of installing a traffic light at intersection)

- Northbound on Silver Bluff: right turn lane

- Southbound on Silver Bluff: left-turn lane

Silver Bluff at Hartwell Drive/Woodside Executive Court

- Northbound on Silver Bluff: left-turn lane

- Southbound on Silver Bluff: left-turn lane

Silver Bluff at Town Creek Road

- Northbound on Silver Bluff: left-turn lane

- Southbound on Silver Bluff: right turn lane

- On Town Creek Road: left-turn lane