Commission OKs renaming a portion of Chamblin Road

Columbia County commissioners on Tuesday approved the renaming of a portion of Chamblin Road and International Parkway to William Few Parkway.

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Though some residents of the affected Chamblin Road area contested the decision, commissioners said the change improves continuity and makes it easier for police and emergency services to locate residents in need.

Though commission Chair-man Ron Cross recognized that changing the name of a road is "not a pleasant task," he also said, "We feel like it's in the best interest of the county."

The name change comes as the county nears the completion of work to extend William Few Parkway south to Chamblin Road. The extension curves into Chamblin, making it a thoroughfare all the way to Lewiston Road.

Commissioners also approved changing the name of the former section of Chamblin Road between Columbia Road and William Few Parkway to High Meadows Drive. The section of Chamblin Road south of Interstate 20 will keep its name.

Cross said several county roads share multiple names and further name changes might be coming. He referred specifically to a planned extension of Riverwatch Parkway to Towne Centre Drive.

Currently, Towne Centre Drive becomes Hereford Farm Road, which becomes Lewiston Road and then changes to Horizon South Parkway.

At the other end of William Few Parkway, where a plan is in place to extend it north to Hardy McManus Road, commissioners agreed to spend more than $180,000 to update environmental studies. The studies are needed to proceed with rights of way purchases and qualify for federal funding.

In other road construction news, the commission awarded a more than $155,000 bid to Beam's Contracting to resurface Flowing Wells Road intersections at Columbia and Pleasant Home roads.

Blanchard Woods Park became the recipient of some county funding as well on Tuesday.

Commissioners voted to allocate $425,000 in 1-percent sales tax funds to build two locker rooms at the park on Blanchard Road.

Officials said the locker rooms would qualify the park to play host to more national tournaments, including an NCAA soccer tournament next year.