Scott Boulevard construction may delay emergency crews

A major road construction in southwest Columbia will impact where city and county firefighters will respond to.

The roadwork on Scott Blvd. is slated to start sometime in the fall, according to Columbia Public Works Director John Glascock, but it will affect Boone County Fire Station 14.

Station 14 sits between the corner of Scott Blvd. and Vawter School Road and Hinkson Creek.

Their driveway only allows for access to Scott Blvd. either heading north or south.

The current two-lane bridge over Hinkson Creek will be torn down and replaced with a new one when the road expands to four lanes, and firefighters at that station will not be able to respond to some parts of Columbia and Boone County north of the creek.

Columbia City Firefighters at Station 6 on Chapel Hill also cross the creek to respond to emergencies.

Because of the dual impact, county and city firefighters are devising a plan to split responsibilities north and south of the creek as to minimize any delays when construction begins.