The Barnwell Transportation Committee finished paving the Barnwell city overflow parking lot in November 2011.

Barnwell’s transportation committee is working to improve county roads.
The Barnwell Transportation Committee was formed prior to 1994. The committee completed paving the city overflow parking lot across from the police station in November 2011 and has a list of future projects.
“We paved the Barnwell city overflow parking lot,” said Willie Walker, chairman of the committee.
The committee is made up of seven volunteers, one from each county district. The volunteers are appointed by the Barnwell County Council.
The committee receives funds from the SCDOT through the “C” Fund Program, not the county, Walker said.
Committee members are Franklin Brown for district 1, LuCinda McCormack for district 2, Willie Walker for district 3, Johnny Bessinger for district 4, Thomas Sanders for district 5, Henry Smith for district 6 and Jerry Creech for district 7.
“We cooperate and work closely with various county entities,” such as the County Council, the County Administrator and the County Engineer as well as local municipalities, Walker said.
“The Barnwell Transportation Committee’s goal is to provide the citizens of Barnwell County a fair and equitable system of maintenance and paving for secondary roads, bridges, parking lots and sidewalks which will result in safe and efficient transportation,” Walker said.
Future projects include the Blackville Town Hall/School District parking lot, Harvest Lane in Williston, Peachtree Lane in Williston, Calico Lane in Williston, Battle Creek Drive in Barnwell, Old Stage Coach Road in Barnwell, Old Carriage Lane in Barnwell, Kimberwick Drive in Barnwell and Pelham Place in Barnwell.
Upcoming projects include the paving of Curtis Drive in the Long Branch area, which is the second phase of that project with the first one already completed, he said. “Plans are to complete phase two of Curtis Drive by the fall of 2012.”
Other completed projects include Londe Lane, which was completed in 2011, and the paving of Union Circle and Cave Circle in Kline. Williamson Road in the Red Oak area is an ongoing project.
“First, it gives us an opportunity to assist the citizens,” Walker said. “Second, it gives an opportunity to work with the SCDOT, city, county and various municipalities to make this area a more attractive place to live.”
Walker works full-time with the Savannah River Site and has done so for the past 33 years. Walker is a class one certified deputy with the Barnwell County Sheriff’s Office and has worked there part-time for the past 11 years.
Walker was first appointed to the committee Aug. 11, 2009, and was nominated and accepted as chairman Sept. 14, 2010, he said. “I do this (transportation committee) part-time.”
The committee meets each fourth Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. at the agricultural building. Residents may contact their district representative with any concerns or suggestions.