After residents expressed additional safety concerns about the temporary roadway into Gatewood Subdivision, Williamston officials are taking additional steps to try to improve the only access into the residential subdivision and the town’s waste water treatment plant.
Williamston Mayor Mack Durham said Williamston Police and Fire resources manned the Gatewood Subdivision Tuesday morning to ensure safe travel for buses and residents. The town is also coordinating with Anderson County to effect repairs to the roadway. According to Durham, the roadway condition is improved from what it was last night.
“Larger stone will be used in the problem areas to try to build a better base and minimize further the impact of these areas during rain events,” Durham said. “I will call a special meeting of Council next Tuesday evening to have second reading of our ordinance to accept this roadway as a local road and entertain a resolution to request that ACTC pave this roadway.”
Residents said they were having problems driving on the temporary roadway due to conditions resulting from recent rain. Some residents said they were stuck or almost stuck. Others said they were concerned about getting in and out of the subdivision, and asked what would happen if emergency or fire trucks were needed.
The Williamston Police Department has also said they have a Hummer which they could make available to help transport people or get vehicles unstuck.
Gatewood residents expressed an urgency in getting the paving done, stating that the asphalt plant will be closing soon for the winter.
Town Council officially accepted the temporary roadway as the town’s responsibility Monday night when they held first reading the issue. Accepting the roadway clears the town to be able to request paving assistance from the Anderson County Transportation Committee. A special called meeting will be held next Tuesday for second reading, Durham said.
Durham said during the council meeting that the town plans to pave the temporary roadway if ACTC C-Funds are approved. The town will reapply for funds to complete repairs on the entrance way during the next funding year, Durham said. The required paperwork and permitting to continue with planned replacement of the Mill St. entrance is expected to delay the project into mid 2016.
