03.08.2024

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Today’s Forecast

70º | 10% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:43 a.m. | Sunset 6:26 p.m.
Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

🛤️ Railroad overpass overhaul

Blossom Bridge Project set to begin this summer

Screenshot 2024-03-07 at 11.47.13 AM.png

Construction is scheduled to begin in June on the bridge project. | Photo via SCDOT

The Blossom Street Bridge — a primary thoroughfare to the downtown area crossing over the Norfolk Southern and CSX railroad tracks — is poised for a big upgrade this summer. Following years of planning and public input, the $30-$40 million project is set to replace the aging bridge and improve connectivity and livability in the area.

🔑 Key updates

Pedestrian priority: The addition of a multi-use path, sidewalks, and pedestrian-focused lighting will make the bridge more accessible for non-motorists.

Design Inspiration: The new bridge’s architecture is inspired by the aesthetic of the Greene Street Bridge one block away, aiming to blend into the landscape.

Green Street Bridge-4429.jpg — The design aesthetic will be similar to the Greene Street Bridge. | Photo by COLAtoday

Minimal Disruption: To minimize impact on daily commutes and local traffic, construction will be phased, with traffic flow remaining as uninterrupted as possible throughout the project’s duration. This approach will help maintain accessibility in the area and reduce the inconvenience for residents and visitors.

Community: The project emphasized public input and hosted several virtual meetings and presentations.

Zoom out: The Blossom Street Bridge project joins several other ongoing initiatives that embrace the principles of the city’s 2015 Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan. That plan outlines a vision to prioritize people, not just vehicles, in high-traffic areas.

“Road diet” initiatives include the recent addition of bike lanes on Calhoun Street, Future Five Points, and the ongoing $23 million South Main Street project behind the State House that’s reducing vehicular lanes in favor of dedicated bike lanes, wider sidewalks, and more green spaces.

These efforts — including Columbia’s first cycle track (a dedicated bicycle lane separated by a barrier) on South Main Street — highlight a city-wide shift toward a safer, more inclusive transportation infrastructure.

Asked

If you could magically change one thing in Columbia overnight, what would it be?

A) Pothole-proof streets
B) Climate-controlled outdoors area
C) Bridges over railroad crossings
D) Top ranked Gamecock football team
E) Other

Dream big

Events

Friday, March 8

Carolina Classic Home & Garden Show | Friday, March 8 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | SC State Fair Grounds, 1200 Rosewood Dr., Columbia | Free | Enjoy over 100 exhibitors in the show including a marketplace of vendors, a beer garden, live entertainment, educational seminars, and more.
Gamecocks Baseball vs. Longwood Lancers Baseball | Friday, March 8-Sunday, March 10 | Times vary | Founders Park, 431 Williams St., Columbia | $12-$15 | Watch the yardcocks spar with the Lancers.

Saturday, March 9

Nature Discovery Walk | Saturday, March 9 | 9:30-11:30 a.m. | Congaree National Park, 100 National Park Rd., Hopkins | Enjoy a guided hike along the Boardwalk Loop at Congaree National Park.
Sonoma Wine Tasting | Saturday, March 9 | 3 p.m. | Hampton Street Vineyard , 1207 Hampton St., Columbia | $33 | Find out why Sonoma encompasses some of California’s most famous wines while sipping six wines.

Sunday, March 10

Vibez Tour - An Intimate Evening With Godsmack | Sunday, March 10 | 7:30 p.m. | The Township Auditorium, 1703 Taylor St., Columbia | $47-$123 | Come here the popular heavy rock band performing all acoustic.
Annual Red Carpet Awards Party | Sunday, March 10 | 6-11 p.m. | Nickelodeon Theater, 1607 Main St., Columbia | $75-$125 | Enter on the red carpet and pose for a picture, then enjoy a night of awards and festivities.

Calendar events here

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News Notes

Ranked

No. 5 — that’s the ranking Columbia received in Southern Living’s list of the “South’s Best Cities On The Rise 2024.” The ranking noted that Cola is experiencing a boom with $2.37 billion invested in 2023.

Real Estate

LT Toys and Stuff, founded by 15-year-old Lawson Taylor, is relocating to the former Kleen Kare building at 6179 St. Andrews Rd., purchased recently for $375,000. DeWees Real Estate Group’s Angela Cash facilitated the sale.

Transit

Richland County aims to improve traffic flow and safety on Clemson Road by widening Sparkleberry Lane to four lanes and adding new signals at intersections. Funded by the Richland Penny Tax, construction is slated to begin in early 2026. (WLTX)

Outdoors

Reservations are open for a ranger-led Nature Walk on Boyd Island, organized by the City of Columbia CPAC and Parks and Recreation for Earth Hour. The free event begins at 6:30 p.m. on March 23. Space is limited to 50 people.

Arts

Rob Shaw Framing and Gallery bids farewell to West Columbia and is moving to Elmwood Park. The new gallery and frame shop at 2123 Park St. offers more space for events and classes.

Seasonal

It’s almost time to set the clocks forward. Daylight saving time begins on Sunday, March 10. Many states, including ours, have made moves to address time change, but for now, enjoy the extra sunlight.

Sports

Will the Carolina Panthers make a splash in the free agency market. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Carolina Panthers with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.

Watch

The Academy Awards air this Sunday, March 10 at 7 p.m. Not sure how to watch? Access the broadcast with a free five-day trial of DIRECTV STREAM.*

Festival

☀️ Plan ahead for a sunny Sunday

Cottontown Art Crawl and Bock and Roll Spring Fest rescheduled

T shirts are available at the main desk at the annual arts event. | Photo by COLAtoday

With the potential for severe thunderstorms and rain in the forecast, several events happening this weekend in Cola are being rescheduled. Below is an update for your Sunday schedule and here are some rainy day activities to keep you busy on Saturday.

Cottontown Art Crawl | Sunday, March 10 | 12-5 p.m. | 2200 Sumter St., Columbia | Free | The sixth annual Cottontown Art Crawl brings artists and entertainment to front porches, streets, and lawns in a historic downtown neighborhood in Columbia.

Bierkeller Bock and Roll Spring Fest | Sunday, March 10 | 12-8 p.m. | Bierkeller Columbia, 600 Canalside St., Ste. 1009, Columbia | Free | Get ready for fresh beer, food, a traditional German fest, and some good old-fashioned rock and roll.

SEC Women’s Basketball Championship | Sunday, March 10 | 3 p.m. | Bon Secours Wellness Arena, 650 North Academy St., Greenville | $81+ | The Gamecocks are a current favorite to play in this game, though we take nothing for granted.

The Buy

The Buy 3.08.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

Dog walks around the block just got more stylish.

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The Wrap

David Stringer wearing a dark button-down shirt

Today’s edition by:
David

From the editor

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden’s 50th anniversary Golden Ticket giveaway is underway offering exclusive prizes at the zoo. Keep your eyes peeled for local businesses and organizations’ promotions through June 30, including one from us at COLAtoday.

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