After years of concerns and a recent string of tragic accidents, improvements are finally being made to Liberty Hill Road in Summerton, a notorious stretch of highway that has been deemed dangerous and life-threatening by local residents and officials.
The road, which claimed the life of Summerton Mayor Tony Junious in January and has seen multiple incidents of vehicles crashing into homes, is set to receive critical safety enhancements this September. The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) has committed to upgrading signage along the nine-mile corridor, following a study prompted by a series of alarming accidents at various intersections.
The call for action was spearheaded by Representative Fawn Pedalino (R-Manning) and included State Senator Kevin Johnson (D-Manning) after both had received numerous pleas from concerned residents, including Jason and Ashley Robinson. The Robinsons have been working to restore a historic home on Liberty Hill Road that was struck by a vehicle, one of several that have crashed into properties in the area.
In a letter to Ted Creech, Director of Governmental Affairs at SCDOT, Rep. Pedalino emphasized the urgency of the situation. “There have been several accidents (resulting in deaths) on Liberty Hill Road at a few different intersections,” Pedalino wrote. “There have also been several incidents with vehicles crashing into homes at those points on Liberty Hill Road. We have been asked to see if a traffic study can be done, or if SCDOT can go out and assess if a stop sign or red light are needed.”
In response, Creech confirmed that a traffic study had been conducted and outlined a series of improvements aimed at enhancing road safety. These include the installation of brighter reflective sign panels, larger and more noticeable signs, dual stop signs at critical locations, and a large two-way directional arrow sign. Additionally, “stop ahead” signs will be repositioned farther back from intersections to give drivers earlier warnings.
“Our goal is to have all of this work completed by the end of September 2024,” Creech stated in his letter to the delegation and residents.
The safety upgrades come too late for some, including the family of Mayor Junious, who lost his life in a crash earlier this year while on his way to Liberty Hill AME Church. His death was a sobering reminder of the dangers posed by this stretch of road. “One life is all it should take,” said Ashley Robinson in a recent interview with local news outlets after her home was damaged in another crash. “It’s happened several times on this road, and it shouldn’t happen more than once.”
Residents have long advocated for increased safety measures, citing multiple incidents where vehicles have crashed into homes, including the Robinson residence. Despite efforts to rebuild, the Robinsons remain more concerned about the safety of their community than their property. “The house can be rebuilt. Lives cannot be replaced, so that is our focus, making sure this community can feel safe going from point A to point B,” Ashley Robinson said.
Senator Kevin Johnson praised the collaboration between local stakeholders and the SCDOT, expressing optimism about the forthcoming improvements. “This was a joint effort of the Clarendon County Legislative Delegation, the SC Department of Transportation, and other local stakeholders. This has been a dangerous location for travelers in that area, and soon it will be much more safe,” Johnson said.
As the community awaits the completion of these safety enhancements, residents like the Robinsons continue to advocate for lasting solutions that will protect both their properties and their lives. The improvements on Liberty Hill Road represent a critical step in that direction, offering hope that the tragedies of the past will not be repeated.
