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Issue Summary: All crosswalks and signage at the entrance of Rice Creek Elementary (Columbia, SC 29229) were removed due to SCDOT construction, leaving the intersection unsafe since at least 8/7/2024. Despite requests for temporary safety measures like signage, flags, or a temporary crosswalk, nothing has been implemented. Without a marked crosswalk on the ground, crossing guards cannot be used even if properly certified up to SCDOT standards. Civilizations cannot legally aide in crossing, even with a painted crosswalk. Students are forced to cross a notoriously dangerous intersection without adequate warning for drivers. This project has introduced new dangers and violates a plethora of SCDOT construction manual rules and regulations. Yet neither state or county will address it. 

Our Story: The premature and abrupt removal of Elementary School Crosswalks just days before the school year began, eliminated the legally recognized and protected crosswalks without implementing alternative safety measures at the only entrance to Rice Creek Elementary School.

SCDOT has created unnecessary and potentially life threatening conditions. Children as young as four have been left to cross several lanes of incompletely marked traffic, without anything legally requiring vehicles to yield, across Hardscrabble Rd., to simply arrive at school. The sidewalks are the only other measure they had access to. Unfortunately those were demolished as well and several closed.This leaves no safe and unobstructed route to school by foot.

 This conflicts with a child’s right to safe and public education. 

Personally, my child has been barred from 2 days of public education because our only option was to walk, but SCDOT’s Project Engineer/Manager Bart McCarter stated several times it wasn't safe to do so at this time, especially with young children. 

Driver's' Rights are being violated as well. Drivers expect clear signage and warnings to potential hazards.

October 29th, 2024, the aftermath of a vehicular collision was observed in the student drop-off/pick-up lane, just yards from the intersection. 

We have an overwhelming amount of warnings, uncountable cones, and signs in this area- they're for construction safety, not our children. 

We, the undersigned, demand that the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) immediately restore pedestrian safety at the intersection of Hardscrabble Road and Summit Parkway to pre-construction conditions. Maintain this level of safety until final markings and permanent infrastructure are fully implemented.

*This SCDOT construction project should be required to immediately comply with updated 2025 federal and state safety regulations to eliminate ongoing risks to pedestrians and driver's rights.

Safety in a school should be a priority at all times, especially during construction.

1. Immediate Installation of Temporary Crosswalks and Additional Pedestrian Signals/Signage

SCDOT must immediately implement a clearly marked temporary crosswalk and appropriate signage should be placed immediately as well. If meeting all new 2025 guidelines isn't immediately possible, implement at least one plan that ensures vehicles are legally required to yield to pedestrians throughout the construction period. This should guarantee that at least one unobstructed and legally protected pedestrian path is maintained at all times.

Temporary safety measures should meet or exceed the 2025 Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and SCDOT guidelines for pedestrian accommodations in construction zones. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulates accessibility; and includes requirements for signage that is conveniently located and easy to read both visually and through tactile touch.

2. Assignment of Certified Crossing Guards

Given the unique dangers created by the ongoing construction, SCDOT must assign certified crossing guards after the temporary crosswalk is in place, at no cost to the school or district. These guards must be stationed this high-risk crossing, particularly during school arrival and dismissal times, to provide real-time guidance and intervention for pedestrians and drivers alike. Crossing guards serve as critical safety enforcers and provide immediate, clear communication to mitigate risks where temporary traffic controls may be insufficient or unexpected. Crossing guards cannot legally perform their duties in the absence of a marked crosswalk. We also request that the Sheriff's Department reconsider their refusal to assist with traffic control once the temporary crosswalk is placed. 

3. Adherence to Updated Federal and State Safety Guidelines Now

We demand that this SCDOT construction project, which affects pedestrian routes in a school zone, fully adhere to 2025 federal and state safety regulations, including the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and South Carolina’s Pedestrian Accommodation Guidelines in a timely fashion and with the stipulation that if full compliance is not immediately possible an immediate option that requires vehicles to legally yield, increases visibility, and maintains at least one unobstructed route at all times.

The Public Requests:
- A copy of the Pedestrian Safety Plan that was initially approved during pre-construction planning (if any). Proof of Compliance by SCDOT by providing proof that pedestrian safety was prioritized in construction planning, including documentation of temporary safety measures, and the initial timelines for the installation of permanent infrastructure. We know initial timelines have been significantly delayed, but knowing the original and specific timeline projection for this part of the project is worth noting.

- SCDOT and its contractors to submit an updated detailed pedestrian safety plan that adheres to 2025 state and federal regulations.

• If such a pedestrian plan did not initially exist, is unobtainable, or lacks critical details, the authorities responsible should be held accountable.
• After the immediate implementation of temporary safety measures, new plans must be provided within a reasonable time frame to reflect 2025 compliance standards, ensuring no disruption to pedestrian safety during future construction activities. 

Why This Is Necessary

Pedestrian safety must never be compromised by construction projects, particularly near schools. The ongoing risks at Hardscrabble Road and Summit Parkway pose an immediate threat to students, families, and staff at Rice Creek Elementary School.

We demand accountability from SCDOT to ensure pedestrian safety is restored without delay and that future projects follow updated regulations to prevent similar safety failures.

Signing this petition will help ensure that SCDOT will take accountability and rectifying their negligence. Implementation of immediate safety measures and adhering to 2025 construction guidelines to protect vulnerable pedestrians, especially children in school zones shouldn’t be an option.

Addressing Potential Rebuttals

In the event that SCDOT or its contractors assert that the project in question is exempt from compliance with updated 2025 safety regulations due to grandfathering provisions or pre-existing project plans, we continue to demand that immediate measures be taken to ensure pedestrian safety during construction. This includes the installation of temporary safety infrastructure and the implementation of traffic control measures as outlined in our ongoing demands, which have remained consistent.

Furthermore, if the cost and time efficient temporary crosswalk we request is met with rebuttal, we demand that a temporary work stoppage be enforced;

Under the exemption that: 

All compliance with pedestrian safety measures cannot be achieved within a reasonable time frame, but an appropriate measure requiring vehicles to legally yield, increased visibility, and one unobstructed route for pedestrians is immediately placed. 

We stress that our intention is not to delay the project's completion but rather to ensure that pedestrian safety is prioritized without unnecessary disruptions due to the failure of SCDOT's continued lack of action.

Why a Petition:

We have contacted multiple entities, including SCDOT, SCDOT's Project Manager for this area Richard (Bart) McCarter, Richland County Council/ Overture Walker, the Richland 2 School District, Sheriff Leon Lott, the ombudsman to report hazardous findings.

• Bart McCarter (SCDOT Project Manager), Overture Walker, and Sheriff Lott have all suggested measures that are ineffective/ illegal without properly marked crosswalks. These suggestions demonstrates either a failure to comprehend the legal framework that protects pedestrians and school zone, or the failure to care and take action.
• While we appreciate the Richland 2 School District’s proactive support for a bill addressing crossing guards, these measures are long-term solutions, and immediate action is needed to prevent potential harm. 

 

Supporting Evidence and Findings

It is unacceptable that our children are being forced to walk in hazardous conditions. This extends far past crosswalks -  including sidewalk demolition without alternate routes marked, open manholes without adequate warnings, large holes dropping several feet deep on a commonly used route for walkers, fallen signs obstructing sidewalks, and more. Please note that this project is partially funded by the Richland Penny. Despite attempting to clarify with SCDOT, Richland County Council, Public Works, the ombudsman's office, and attempts to reach the TPAC, there has been no clear communication as to who is responsible for what.

Example: The School Zone Speed Limit Sign on Summit Parkway, which is a County Rd., had never worked (flashed) during school hours. Potentially affected by the construction we reached out to Mr. McCarter who stated the State didn't own that sign nor were they responsible. The County stated they did not place or own the sign either. Finally, after communicating with both the State and County, it was removed, but we don't know by who, and it has yet to be replaced. 

Our children's’ right to safe access to education and driver's' rights to be adequately warned with clear signage/ road markings are being violated every day this issue remains unresolved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Public Awareness:

In 2020, South Carolina was second in the nation for the number of pedestrian deaths per 100,000 population. 2020 Data: https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813310

• TORT Law governs situations where individuals suffer harm due to the negligence or wrongful acts of others, including governmental entities. Should any accidents or injuries occur as a result of the hazardous conditions at the intersection near Rice Creek Elementary School, the state and county may "allegedly" be held legally liable for their failure to ensure the safety of pedestrians, notably the children who access education in this zone. 
• Dr. Kim Moore, Superintendent Addresses Crossing Guard Removal in 2023 due to findings in SCDOT manual: https://www.wistv.com/2023/08/18/richland-county-school-district-two-superintendent-addresses-concerns-about-crossing-guards/
• SCDOT Construction Manual: https://www.scdot.org/business/scdot-construction-manual.html

2025 SCDOT Construction Guidelines are available to view online. Rules and regulations that address the traffic control and safety for pedestrians during construction have been expanded on/ clarified. Currently, the state of this intersection violates the previously existing rules and regulations for SCDOT construction.

The current conditions violate multiple 2025 standards.

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Update 2025:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This isn’t a separate issue, it’s the natural flow of order and we were hoping it’d be fixed prior to 2025. 

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Please take a moment to sign now, free, to protect children, pedestrians, and drivers. The appropriate entities will not take accountability and act.