COLUMBIA (WACH) -- It's hard to miss the $4 million James Clyburn Pedestrian Bridge as you drive down SC-277.
The bridge connects two neighborhoods and was built to make it safer for pedestrians trying to cross the busy roadway.
"I witnessed a person getting killed there on my way home one night," explains Democratic House Majority Whip James Clyburn. "I watched a man get killed. I remember a little 7-year-old getting killed running home from school. Seven people got killed."
But concerned residents contacted WACH Fox News wondering why residents aren't taking the safer route across the bridge.
Thursday, we went to check out just how bad the problem is.
Within moments of pulling up to the area, we witnessed several people darting across the Interstate, dodging heavy traffic.
So years after the construction of the bridge, the potentially dangerous problem seems to continue.
We caught up with one boy who had just finished making the dash and asked why he wasn't taking advantage of the bridge. "Um, I don't know. I gotta go, man," he replied.
Even though it seems a majority avoid the bridge and take their chances with motorists, residents say a small percentage still take advantage of the pedestrian overpass.
As for the bridge, Clyburn says if he had to do it all over again, he would still build it.
Vote in the web poll below and tell us if you think enough is being done to prevent pedestrians from crossing the Interstate. Leave us a comment to tell us more.
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