During the 2016 NADO Annual Training Conference, Dr. William Molnar, Executive Director of the Lower Savannah Council of Governments, shared the story of an intersection improvement in downtown Denmark, South Carolina. This project solved safety and access difficulties through a robust engagement process that resulted in a road diet and several economic impacts.

1. Changing the Dynamics
of a Rural Downtown
NADO REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION CONFERENCE
SAN ANTONIO, TX
OCTOBER 15-18, 2016
Dr. William Molnar, Lower Savannah Council of Governments, Aiken, SC

2. US 78/US 321 Intersection Project
Denmark, SC
2005: initial proposal 2010: final schematic

3. US 78/US 321 Intersection Project
Denmark, SC
Issues
Functional, esp. truck movement
Safety
Traffic mode and speed
Flooding/drainage
Economic disinvestment
Citizen perception
Limited local resources
Partners
City of Denmark, SC
Lower Savannah COG
SCDOT (safety, local, engineering, bike/ped)
Stantec (consultant)
Downtown business owners
Citizens
Planning Commission
Local legislators
Clemson Extensionhit & run by log truck, 2008

4. Process – OMG! Never been done before in South Carolina!
Rolling up sleevesWhat the *bleep* is a “road diet”?!

5. Outcome

6. Outcome

7. Outcome

8. Outcome