Citizens should speak up on North Belair plans
Editor:
The Feb. 24 editorial, Belair project takes detour, was exactly right on! I am a homeowner on North Belair Road and have been involved with this project for the past two years.
The current plans are to widen North Belair Road 2.7 miles from Industrial Park Drive directly through Joe and Daniel Marshalls property, tying into North Belair Road approximately 200 feet past Dogwood Drive and terminating at Furys Ferry Road. There are many problems with this: The proposed expansion doesnt even come near the new government center and library. The easiest access to these facilities for Columbia County residents is from Washington Road to Ronald Reagan Drive, not North Belair. There are no plans to widen Furys Ferry in the foreseeable future, and Mullikin Road dead ends into the Savannah River.
The proposed expansion is truly a road to nowhere, as the current Department of Transportation plan for Furys Ferry is to widen it to the fire station only.
Although the DOT claims the North Belair expansion is proposed in 2010, we have Bill Coleman, attorney for the Marshalls, going before our county commissioners and asking for a zoning change for their land in direct conflict with the Evans Town Center concept. In my opinion the proposed North Belair expansion will benefit only the few, not the many!
Now for good news: The DOT has decided to remove the 20-foot raised concrete divider originally proposed, and the speed limit on North Belair will be reduced to 45 mph in the near future. This information has been confirmed by County Commissioner Jim Whitehead.
In the past few weeks, I am encouraged by the response from our government officials. During his recent appearance on the Austin Rhodes Radio Show on Feb. 28, County Commissioner Frank Spears made it known that he, too, is against the road as originally proposed by the DOT. Also noted is that he put forth his position in The Columbia County News-Times in a March 3 letter. State Rep. Ben Harbin is also to be congratulated for understanding our community concerns and agreeing that North Belair should not become a South Belair Road.
While I am only one voice, I truly feel that our current governmental leaders are headed in the right direction. I stand fully prepared to assist them in any manner need to ensure this 2.7 miles looks as nice in 2010 as it does now. How about you? To form a citizens advisory committee we must be appointed by the county commissioners, so what are we waiting for?
Thomas Grybowski
Evans