HARLEM, Ga ()- A new road widening project could be coming to Columbia County soon. Commissioners voted Tuesday to send a letter of support to the GDOT about the possible work to Highway 221 and committed to contributing $2 million.

Now the people of Harlem are reacting to the potential project.

They know that, like it or not, growth is inevitable. Because of that many said they support the Department of Transportation doing work on Highway 221, especially if it makes one notorious intersection safer.

“We have one of the most dangerous intersections in the county at North Fairview and 221. The last report I received is we’re seeing about two accidents a week,” explained Mayor Roxanne Whitaker.

Many of the accidents where North Fairview and Old Union Road intersect with Highway 221 have caused serious injury or have been fatal. Mayor Whitaker said the intersection has been a problem for decades.

“Most of the solutions that DOT have attempted are laughable at best. And that is not being addressed to meet the safety issues that our residents face every day.”

Right now there are no definitive plans from the GDOT regarding what they want to do and Mayor Whitaker said she would need to see plans before she decides whether or not to support the work. One business owner says widening 221 through downtown Harlem is not feasible.

“Parts of our downtown wouldn’t be possible to enlarge or widen. Physically there are buildings in the way. And so, some sort of a detour, bypass around the town road may be needed,” said Renee Meyer Dean, owner of Red Oak Manor.

Another dangerous location that many are concerned about is the area through Harlem Middle School and Harlem High School. There is some concern about safety if the road becomes four lanes through there, many thinking a different solution would be safer.

“I think a lot of the high school traffic could be alleviated with some sort of a plan. Again, with that Clary Cut, Fairview, Old Union, something…where most- maybe most of the traffic does exit the side of the school into a roundabout,” Dean offered.

NewsChannel 6 also talked to commissioner Alison Couch who told us that right now the project is in the very early stages of planning. She added that the commission would need to see a drafted plan in order to fully support any road construction to the area.

Commissioner Couch also said the DOT needs to talk to the city, the county and the school board about the project and address the biggest concerns. She added that when the time comes there will be public meetings about the project.

Photojournalist: Reggie Mackie.