York County Leaders Are Debating A Third Bridge Over The Catawba River Once Again
YORK COUNTY, SC — Some residents are concerned about possible plans for a third bridge over the Catawba River in York County.
It would help relieve traffic on I-77 from Fort Mill to Rock Hill. Leaders are once again debating whether a bridge is the best solution.
Rush hour traffic pains hit too close to home for Johnny Woodruff who lives off Sutton Road in Fort Mill.
“You have to wait 10 to 15 minutes to get out. 18 years ago, you hardly ever seen a car.” A frustration heard countywide.
Sarah Adkis says, “I work off 160, so it’s a nightmare getting obviously out of here and getting over to 21 and down the interstate.”
The current proposal would connect India Hook Road in Rock Hill near Celanese Road to Sutton Road in Fort Mill, but it doesn’t come without controversy. Leaders estimate the cost to be under $100 million right now.
Mayor George Shepherd, City of Tega Cay, says, “this is not the answer as I see it, and if it is the answer prove to me it’s the answer.”
Mayor Shephard is one of the city, county and state leaders who make up the Rock Hill-Fort Mill area transportation study group.
“I’m all for a regional solution I don’t want another bottle neck somewhere else,” says Jim Reno, Rock Hill City Council.
The group will vote June 23rd on whether to spend the money to study how much the bridge will cost and if it’s worth it.
Reno says, “you’re cutting a corner you’re taking a piece of traffic off congested roadways basically you’re allowing growth to continue to occur in certain areas in York County.”
Five years ago, R-Fats spent $170,000 tax payer dollars to start the study… never finished it… and had budgeted to spend another $80,000 on the study.
Mayor Sheppard says, “right now they’re going to talk about putting this bridge to set in red which is going to go through a development called mason’s band and that’s got 1000 new homes on it 22 how are you gonna put that over there.”
The group should find out on June 23rd exactly how much finishing the feasibility study will cost. They will then determine the best way to move forward.
