Lake Waccamaw leaders took steps toward shaping the community’s future at the September Town Hall meeting on Tuesday night, Sept. 16. Commissioners approved a bid for Sewer Six improvements and supported Columbus County’s Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) for the area.
Both actions mark progress in addressing infrastructure needs, with the sewer project aimed at protecting the lake’s environment and supporting growth, while the transportation plan outlines a coordinated vision for safer, more efficient travel throughout the region over the next 20 years.
Infrastructure and sewer projects have been at the forefront of priorities in Lake Waccamaw for some time now, and the most recent addition to the system was treated with the same careful decision making as the rest of water related endeavors in the municipality.
The Sewer Six Improvements Project was tentatively awarded to T and H Construction of North Carolina Inc., and though the initial estimate was projected to be over $10 million, the company has agreed to try to work within town’s budget of $8,734,652.96.
Sam Boswell of the Cape Fear Council of Governments was on hand to explain Columbus County’s vision of the Comprehensive Transportation Plan for the Lake. The CTP acts a guide for the N.C. DOT to make decisions concerning road maintenance and expansion for the safest movement of pedestrians, vehicle, and cyclists.
The projection of the CTP reflects the possible congestion of roadways in Columbus County up to the year 2045. Boswell explained that new plans are only updated about once every ten years. The last resolution for Columbus was adopted in 2015.
The outline of the plan was heavily influenced by traffic statistics from 2017-2021, but Boswell says that recent roadwork in the area has significantly improved the outlook of the CTP with accidents decreasing at the Chauncy Town Road and 74/76 corridor.
“The rate of crashes have gone very very down with a great separation with the improvements DOT has done,” expressed Boswell.
Commissioners voted unanimously to implement the new CTP, joining half of the municipalities in Columbus County who have accepted the mapped provision.
The final discussion of the evening was full of spooktacular fun for children and their families for the upcoming Halloween holiday. The Town of Lake Waccamaw will be holding their annual Safe Night at Elizabeth Brinkley Park on Oct. 25 from 6-8 p.m.
Booths and trunks are still needed for the event, and those interested in participating are asked contact Police Chief Corey Finch or Fire Chief Ron Sasser. The event is put on by the town each year to ensure that children and their families have a fun and safe trick or treating experience.
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