South Main Street sidewalks completed
Construction workers finishing up the South Main Street sidewalks. Photo by Samantha Lyles
By Samantha Lyles, Staff Writer, slyles@newsandpress.net
Friday saw the end of a five-year quest to build a sidewalk along Darlington’s South Main Street, making the trek to Walmart much safer for the city’s pedestrians and bicyclists.
Mayor Gloria Hines says the new sidewalk makes the street more attractive and offers citizens a cleaner and easier path to the market, drugstore and other businesses along South Main.
“I felt it was important because when we started talking about this in 2014, we kind of knew that Walmart was coming. We wanted people to not have to walk in the grass and walk in water,” says Hines.
“Since the sidewalks run from Avenue F all the way to Walmart, it’s much easier and safer for those people who are walking.”
Hines acknowledges that state Sen. Gerald Malloy (District 29) provided crucial assistance in helping complete the project.
“We are very grateful to the senator for being so instrumental in helping us get the sidewalks,” Hines says.
Malloy says the project was a team effort, and he hopes to work with the city more often to establish new infrastructure and other improvements as the U.S. 52 Bypass area continues to grow.
“The Southeast Darlington sidewalk project is a five-year collaboration between the South Carolina Department of Transportation, the City of Darlington and my office,” says Malloy.
“The sidewalks allow pedestrians to move in a safer environment beside a busy federal highway. Many thanks to all involved in the project, and my office wants to continue making a positive contribution to the City of Darlington.”
Hines says the 4,400 linear feet of sidewalk cost the City of Darlington $110,000, which paired with a $400,000 grant from the S.C. Department of Transportation. Palmetto Paving constructed the sidewalks, and another vendor will handle repairs to driveways and grass that might have been damaged during the build.
With a new elementary school being constructed on 1st Street, Hines says that more sidewalks would enhance the appearance and safety of the surrounding neighborhood.
“We are hoping that we can get some more projects like this all over the city, especially since we have the new school coming and they will need sidewalks in that area,” Hines says. “A lot of parents have called me and they are concerned because their children might have to walk in the water, and we don’t want that to happen.”
