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LEXINGTON COUNTY, S.C. (WIS) - Residents along a four-and-a-half-mile stretch of Calvary Church Road in the Sandy Run community say the state-maintained road is unsafe and in need of major repairs. The road in southern Lexington County carries heavy traffic from nearby interstates and highways but suffers from potholes and crumbling edges that force drivers to swerve to avoid damage. “It’s constantly bumpy... It’s never smooth,” said Beck Hilliard, who has road concerns. State data shows there have been 16 crashes on the road in the last five years, with four people injured. Renee Sims, who has lived in the area for more than 40 years, said the road conditions create dangerous situations for drivers. “It’s scary, actually. Roads are bad, and when they do come out and fix them, it’s like patchwork,” Sims said. The narrow road also creates challenges for emergency vehicles. Sandy Run Fire Station #18 is located along the route, and responding fire trucks often cannot navigate around stopped traffic due to the road’s width. “That’s what you do. You just stop. They can’t get around. You can’t get over. Because the roads are so narrow,” Sims said. Hilliard said drivers face difficult choices when encountering road damage. “You’re screwed either way. Like either you risk hitting another car or you risk screwing up your car from your bumper or tires,” Hilliard said. Alex Jeffcoat, who works in asphalt and construction, said the road shows visible signs of years of temporary fixes. “Would like to see entire revamp of the road. What you’re gonna get? Probably not. You’re gonna get some Oreo crumbs like you have here, tamped down a shovel head, and go on about your business and call it a day,” Jeffcoat said. Residents say they feel overlooked because of their location. “It’s in such a remote area of Lexington County that it usually gets looked over,” Hilliard said. The South Carolina Department of Transportation says it has plans to resurface Calvary Church Road, but has not provided a timeline for the work. Feel more informed, prepared, and connected with WIS. For more free content like this, subscribe to our email newsletter, and download our apps. Have feedback that can help us improve? Click here.
