OC to reconsider stance on eminent domain

Oconee County Council would like to know the public’s attitude about the possibility of closing a county road—because a bridge owned by the railroad is no longer safe. The public’s feedback is to be sought on the possibility of closing Dyar Road near Seneca. The road, off the Old Clemson Highway, features a single-lane bridge, built in 1955, and sees as many as 400 vehicles a day. The county also will look at discarding its policy against eminent domain—which would allow government to take private property for public use. According to Council Chairman Joel Thrift, by applying eminent domain to the stalled project to rebuild the Cobb Road bridge near Westminster, the county would be able to obtain the rights-of-way needed from adjacent land owners.