The South Carolina Department of Transportation has proposed a safety improvement project to reduce accidents at the intersection Florence Highway US 301 and N Bethel Road.
“We really could use some help up there,” said member of Bethel Baptist Church, Diane Baxley.
People who live and work around the area say crashes happen way too often.
“One of the members, her husband was coming home and he was hit by an 18-wheeler on a Wednesday night. We took the group and went to the hospital to pray. He’s a walking miracle,” said Baxley.
Kelley Grain is a business located on the corner of the intersection and the owner says they would like a safety project to be done.
“I’ve seen so many near deaths. We do need some improvements around here because there’s been so many fatalities here,” said owner, William Kelley.
The SCDOT safety project manager said a roundabout at the intersection Florence Highway US 301 and N Bethel Road has been proposed to reduce the frequency of crashes.
“In the last 5 years we’ve had about 23 crashes, and 18 of those crashed have seen right angle crashes which are t-boned type of crashes. Those are considered the most severe,” said safety project manager for SCDOT, Brett McCutchan.
A roundabout project will cost around $1,000,000 to $1.5 million.
“Stats show that the overall crashes have been reduced by 64%,” said McCutchan.
Construction is scheduled to begin early 2020 and last for approximately 8 to 12 months. SCDOT has scheduled a public information meeting on Tuesday from 5:00 p.m to 7:00 p.m at Olanta Elementary School to discuss more about the safety project.
