VA loan in Eastover, SC

SCDOT eyes safety improvements for Garners Ferry Road with proposed changes to various intersections that locals fear could affect traffic flow.

EASTOVER, S.C. — More changes could soon be coming to Garners Ferry Road as the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) considers a series of safety improvements along one of the Midlands’ most dangerous roadways.

SCDOT hosted a public hearing on December 1, in Eastover to discuss seven proposed changes aimed at improving traffic safety and easing congestion along portions of the road.

However, in a packed room, some neighbors and business owners worry that the proposed alterations could make driving more difficult rather than safer.

According to SCDOT, the section of Garners Ferry Road between Horrell Hill Road and U.S. Highway 601 has recorded 21 fatal crashes over the past decade, making it a high-priority area for safety upgrades.

Many of the department’s proposals focus on modifying crossover intersections in Eastover, including areas near Old Congaree Run by Bunky's and Piney Branch Road. Suggested changes include adding medians to restrict certain movements, converting crossovers into left-turn-only lanes, and in some cases, completely closing crossovers. These adjustments would require drivers to make right turns only onto Garners Ferry Road and use designated U-turn locations to travel in the opposite direction.

Ronnie Gregory, owner of Middleboro Trailer Sales, voiced concerns over how right-turn-only access could impact both safety and convenience.

“The right turn only I’m having a problem with. Having to go right, then go find a U-turn area and go back the other direction, I don’t think is going to work for safety purposes down the road,” Gregory said.

A proposed change at Piney Branch Road would eliminate the crossover entirely and create designated left-turn lanes for eastbound and westbound U-turns. Longtime business owners in the area expressed strong opposition, saying the change could hurt local commerce and disrupt daily travel patterns.

“We don’t need to shut down any of our crossways,” said Angelique Helfridge, owner of Angels Diner right off Piney Branch Road. “That’s detrimental to the businesses. It’s detrimental to the people that are traveling the roads that have been doing this every single day.”

Eastover residents expressed wanting more traffic lights to be put along the corridor to help slow down traffic, but DOT staff said estimated the intersections wouldn't have enough cars on a daily basis to justify a stop light.

SCDOT officials emphasized that the project is still in the early planning phase and currently has no allocated funding. As a result, the proposed changes are not final, and not all seven projects will necessarily move forward. Public feedback will play a role in determining which intersections are prioritized for potential funding and construction.

“We’ve asked folks to rank the intersections by their interests, like which intersection do you really want to be improved the most and which do you not care about as much,” said Ginny Jones, SCDOT’s public involvement director.

Residents can submit public comments on the proposed changes through December 19.

Eastover Chips, a subsidiary of The Price Companies, is opening a new wood chipping facility in Richland County that will create 27 jobs.

EASTOVER, S.C. — Eastover Chips, Inc., a subsidiary of The Price Companies, announced it is establishing operations in Richland County, an investment that will create 27 new jobs.

The Price Companies is one of the nation’s leading providers of sustainable services in the pulp and paper industry and operates more than 40 locations across the country. Eastover Chips will become part of that nationwide network.

The company will construct a new wood chipping facility at 4001 McCords Ferry Road in Eastover to serve the Sylvamo paper mill. Operations are expected to be online in the first quarter of 2026. Individuals interested in joining the Eastover Chips team are encouraged to visit the company’s contact page.

To support the project, the Coordinating Council for Economic Development awarded a $100,000 Set-Aside grant to Richland County to assist with the costs of site preparation and building construction.

“Eastover Chips represents an exciting expansion for The Price Companies as we grow our nationwide system of world-class wood-processing facilities,” said The Price Companies CEO Dick Carmical. “We are thrilled to partner with the excellent team at Sylvamo and grateful for the opportunity to invest in the great state of South Carolina.”

Gov. Henry McMaster called the announcement another milestone for the state’s forestry industry.

“We celebrate Eastover Chips’ decision to invest and create 27 new jobs in Richland County. This investment is another great milestone for South Carolina’s forestry industry, and we look forward to creating a strong partnership with the company as it finds success in our state,” McMaster said.

State Forester Scott Phillips added, “The establishment of Eastover Chips is a timely boost for South Carolina’s forestry supply chain. This investment strengthens our industry and reflects the confidence companies have in the future of forestry in our state.”

Richland County Council Chairwoman Jesica Mackey highlighted the project’s impact on the local economy.

“We welcome Eastover Chips as the newest addition to our growing manufacturing sector in Eastover,” Mackey said. “As a supplier for our long-standing partner Sylvamo, the wood chip processor expands job opportunities in lower Richland and highlights the powerful potential that’s possible within our community for new and existing industries to collaborate, grow and strengthen their operations.”