A $45 million apartment project in Columbia County is moving forward more than a year after neighboring residents predicted it would spur dangerous traffic congestion next to a school. Despite the protests, the possibility of an expensive lawsuit tied to the land’s zoning status helped keep the project alive. Grand Oaks at River Island is slowly taking shape on Blackstone Camp Road, which connects to Furys Ferry Road near its intersection to Evans to Locks Road. Foundation slabs have been poured for “over 75% of the buildings, according to Matt Mills, executive vice president of the company overseeing the project, Southeastern Development. Initial plumbing has been roughed into the slabs, and framing was expected to start this week.