Conference call to decide funding request

Chairman Sam Dickson of Oconee’s State “C” Fund Committee says he’ll schedule a conference call of committee members in two weeks for a decision on whether to fund what’s been described as a “temporary fix” to a traffic backup on Seneca By-Pass 123. On behalf of the South Carolina DOT, Randy Russell asked the “C” Fund Committee for $30 thousand to eliminate a grass median on 123 near Old Salem Road for the purpose of adding a second left hand turn lane in front of the 123-130 traffic lights. Dickson’s fellow committee members—Tally Grant and Dick Cottingham—asked for time to study it further, although Cottingham said he understands the problem created when left-turn traffic backups all the way to the Old Salem Road crossover. Though described as a temporary solution to traffic problems at the busy signal intersection, the DOT’s Russell said 123—from Old Salem Road to Lindsay Road—is to be repaved, and contractors’ bids will be requested between November and January.