One of Lexington’s busiest intersections is about to receive a major overhaul, thanks in part to millions in state funding that would originally have gone to a controversial conference center and resort on Lake Murray, a project that was shouted down by intense public backlash.
The road project will focus on the often frustrating intersection between the busy two-lane Corley Mill Road and Sunset Boulevard/US 378, a major four-lane connection between the city of Lexington and West Columbia. The two roads converge at Sunset’s intersection with Interstate 20.
The state has committed $16 million for what is being called the Sunset Split project, included in South Carolina’s budget, which is expected to be approved in the near future.
The project to reshape the tricky intersection was initially announced in 2020. Since that unveiling, plans have shifted, with more exact details – included how much it will cost and where additional funding could come from – are expected to be announced soon.
The $16 million in state funds was initially awarded to finance the design, infrastructure and construction of a conference center to be built as part of Smallwood Cove, a project launched by the City of Lexington off the shores of Lake Murray in May 2023 announced. That resort would span 94 acres, with plans for a hotel adjacent to a city-run conference center, along with a marina, retail spaces and living spaces.
Opposition to the resort was swift, with many residents questioning how development near the Lake Murray Dam would impact traffic along busy North Lake Drive/SC 6, as well as legal concerns about Lexington’s plans to acquire non-adjacent properties to be annexed to the city. hinged on the fact that you could see the location from a spot along the coast that is within the city limits.
With the Smallwood Cove controversy showing no signs of dying down, the property owners withdrew their annexation request two months later.
Lexington Mayor Hazel Livingston said she, along with the city manager and transportation director, have made a direct appeal to state representatives and county senators to instead move the money planned for the conference center to road construction.
A representative for the property owners in Smallwood Cove declined to comment on the transfer of funds.
Both Livingston and Lexington City Councilman Gavin Smith credited S.C. Rep. Chris Wooten, R-Lexington, and S.C. Sen. Katrina Shealy, R-Lexington, with securing state funding for the transit project.
“This couldn’t be a better example of a government agency listening to its citizens and acting directly on their wishes,” Smith said. “We heard their voices. Their first priority is to improve traffic and infrastructure.”
Wooten echoed this sentiment, saying he was responding to public feedback in the wake of the Smallwood Cove announcement, which showed many people would prefer that money be used to address infrastructure and traffic issues.
“Taxpayer money is sitting idle for a project that may or may not ever happen,” Wooten said. “If there’s money, I feel like it’s my job to bring it back to Lexington County, rather than having it go to Charleston or Greenville or wherever. Because if it goes back and is repurposed, it goes somewhere else.”
Smith noted that the Corley Mill Road/Sunset Boulevard intersection is the most important project on the city’s list of infrastructure priorities because of the traffic it sees.
According to the S.C. Department of Transportation, 13,600 cars travel through Corley Mill Road near its intersection with Sunset Boulevard each day, meeting that larger highway along a stretch where 33,000 cars pass each day.
“We are hearing directly from residents on Corley Mill Road, businesses on 378 and even residents going into the West Columbia region that there are ongoing traffic congestion issues in this area,” Smith said. “By tackling traffic congestion head-on with an investment of $16 million, we can make substantial improvements.”
Part of Wooten’s reasoning for moving the funds is that he sees no chance of the Smallwood Cove project being revived in the near future, and if anything were to happen at that site it would be improving the intersection at Corley Mill Road and Sunset Boulevard can mitigate its impact. on local traffic.
“There’s no political environment, there’s no community environment that wants development until we get a handle on the infrastructure and the infrastructure needs around Lexington County,” Wooten said, noting the proximity of the scuttled resort near the intersection of North Lake Drive and Corley Mill. Away. “If Smallwood Cove were developed, just think how many cars would be coming off 378, on Corley Mill Road. If something is ever developed there, I think it would make the traffic flow even better.”
This story may be updated with more details.
