Although it only covers a mile or so, the stretch of Highway 45 from the intersection of Bluecutt Road to the Highway 82 exit is the most traveled section of road in Lowndes County. On average, 9.1 million motor vehicles travel that stretch of road each year. That also translates into heavy congestion and accidents.
A two-vehicle accident Wednesday sent two people to the hospital with minor injuries. Two Columbus women were struck as they were heading north on Highway 45 in the center lane in front of Bojangles Famous Chicken ‘n Biscuits when they were struck by a car entering the turning lane.
Wednesday’s accident occurred at the same location as the June 23 accident that took the lives of former county supervisor Walter Clardy and his wife, Dorothy.
“Columbus has a lot of wrecks, especially when it rains,” Columbus Police Chief Selvain McQueen said. “We do have a lot of wrecks on 45 but I’m not certain it’s worse than other places. One of the worst areas seems to be the intersection of (Highway) 45 and 18th Avenue. It was really bad there at one time. People just need to be more cautious when they are driving. There is a lot traffic on 45 and people need to pay extra attention when they are driving in traffic — especially when it is raining.”
“This is, by far, the most traveled road in the city,” City Engineer Kevin Stafford said. “And there are a lot of wrecks on 45.”
Stafford said the traffic on Highway 45 has been a long-discussed topic. A 2001 study conducted by MDOT showed the need for an alternate route or “bypass” between the Columbus Air Force Base area of Highway 45 and Highway 82. Although there hasn’t been much conversation on the bypass since a public hearing was held in 2010, Stafford said the project is still moving forward.
“The bypass has gone through many routes but the final route has been determined and approved by MDOT,” Stafford said.
According to MDOT, the bypass would begin at the interchange with Highway 82 and Main Street and proceed north for approximately eight miles to the Columbus Air Force Base. At the Base, “a new interchange would be provided south of where the new highway is expected to connect to existing US 45, which is in the vicinity of the Spur Line Road/Land Road intersection.”
The route, know from the public hearing as “Route B,” has had some minor modifications around the Oakdale Park section said Stafford.
With a route selected, the next phase in bringing the bypass to fruition is surveying the area to determine what land will need to be acquired. But the biggest obstacle facing the project is funding.
“MDOT has about $7 million left to go forward with the project,” Stafford said. “An estimated cost study has not been completed. It’s going to move forward with design and surveys but how long it will take is a matter of funding.”
Jeff Clark was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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