Columbia officials pledge to stay on top of fixing flood-damaged road

Columbia officials’ promises Monday to stay on top of repairs to the flood-damaged bridge on Lost Creek Drive eased frustrations for some residents of the neighborhood just north of Harbison State Forest.

More than 50 Chestnut Hill Plantation residents pressed officials to explain why repairs are incomplete more than six months after the Oct. 4 storm.

The bridge closure blocks the southern entrance to the neighborhood, leaving just one other entrance for the neighborhood’s 650 families.

Repairs have been complicated by weather, regulations and discovery of unexpected damage to the bridge foundation, city officials responded during the hour-long grilling.

“I’m glad to hear it’s moving,” said Richard Pitt, 57, who has lived in the area two decades. “I think it’s taken too long to get moving.”

City Public Works Director Robert Anderson also said the work should be done by early July, weather permitting.

The bridge closure has caused plenty of heartburn. With one exit blocked, residents funnel through the other one and navigate back roads to reach I-26 for travel to work and elsewhere.

That has added 30 minutes or more to some commutes, as well as extra time for some students riding buses to Lexington-Richland 5 schools.

Another worry expressed by homeowners is the closure would lengthen public safety or ambulance response. Annexed in 1993, Chestnut Hill Plantation is 10 miles from downtown Columbia.

City Manager Teresa Wilson said the the work must be “done right for health and public safety.”

Repairs totaling $1.1 million became more complicated when extensive damage was discovered in the bridge foundation, Anderson said.

Soil testing was delayed by rain, but all engineering is finished and construction is ready to begin, he said.

That will include building a larger, stronger foundation more able to withstand heavy rain, Anderson said.

Residents repeatedly voiced frustration at the wait for repairs.

Todd Watlington asked whether Columbia would compensate the neighbors for fuel used in longer drives to work and school.

“I don’t know that you can hold the city liable for a weather event,” Anderson said. “It’s an act of God.”

City Councilman Sam Davis, who represents the area, promised the crowd the city won’t “drag its feet.”

“It has to be done,” he said, “and it has to be done right.”

Jeremy Catoe, 37, said he appreciated the efforts to hear residents’ concerns. “I do feel better that at least they’ve given us some better expectations as to when the road can be fixed,” he said.

The city will post weekly updates on the repairs to social media, Anderson said.

This story was originally published April 18, 2016 at 9:21 PM with the headline "Columbia officials pledge to stay on top of fixing flood-damaged road."