A Sneak Peek into Progress and Plans
By: Tracy Sanders
tracy@thewoodrufftimes.com
Construction is progressing at 1501 Cross Anchor Road, the campus of the new Woodruff High School. Superintendent Rallie Liston provided an update, noting the project is two weeks ahead of schedule. One deviation from the original plan has been made. The entire third floor will be dedicated to the sciences. The space dedicated for future growth will be on both ends of the main building.
The guaranteed maximum price for the new Woodruff High School stands at $84,151,101, with the remaining $15,848,899 earmarked for extensive underground infrastructure. Site plans call for more than 5 miles of underground storm drainage. The sewer connection with the City of Woodruff has been confirmed by April 2024. The magnitude of the overall project is impressive, with a workforce of 1,000 contributing by project’s end.
Blackwood Engineering, in collaboration with the Department of Transportation (DOT), is finalizing road plans. Plans include a dedicated turning lane on Allendale Road for bus access to the back of the campus. Highway 146 between Miller and Allendale Roads will also be three lanes, with dedicated turning lanes for both student and visitor entrances to the campus. The DOT has approved a traffic signal at the intersection of Highway 146 and Miller Road to ensure a safe flow of traffic in this area. The student entrance to the school is located at this junction, with the visitor entrance a bit further west on Highway 146.
Planning has also gone into the design features of the new building. Architectural elements will echo the school’s maroon and gold identity. An homage to the rich history of the buildings that have been called “Woodruff High School” is also being designed.
The anticipated completion date for the new Woodruff High School is December 2025. A timeline for transitioning to the new high school building is being developed. Dates for a school dedication program and an open house to invite the community to explore the state-of-the-art facility will be announced closer to the school’s completion.
Author: Tracy Sanders
