Greenville Takes Big Steps Toward Safer Streets
In an exciting move to enhance traffic and pedestrian safety, the lovely city of Greenville has unveiled a comprehensive traffic safety action plan designed to tackle the pressing issues of road safety. During a recent work session held on October 28, the Greenville City Council discussed this important initiative, aiming to create safer roadways for everyone.
The Ultimate Goal: Zero Fatalities
According to Clint Link, the director of the city’s engineering services, the ultimate goal of this plan is simple yet ambitious: to eliminate fatalities and reduce the severity of accidents whenever they occur. With the increasing number of incidents on the roads, this initiative is more crucial than ever.
Identifying High-Risk Areas
One of the main strategies the city plans to implement is the establishment of a high-injury network. This network will pinpoint key corridors that are in dire need of safety enhancements—roads where the most injuries and fatalities have occurred. Not surprisingly, two roads that have been flagged as particularly concerning are Laurens Road and North Pleasantburg Drive.
Funding for Quick Action
To help kickstart these safety improvements, Greenville was fortunate to receive a staggering $2.08 million through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Nick DePalma, the assistant city engineer for capital projects, shared that this funding will be put to good use by assessing and implementing “quick-build” safety projects specifically on those high-injury corridors. Additionally, the city secured $7.5 million in matching funds from the Greenville Legislative Delegation Transportation Committee, which will further bolster traffic safety projects throughout the area.
Enhancing Local Properties
At the same meeting, council members approved an abandoned building certification application for the old Greenville Memorial Auditorium site. For those unfamiliar, this site had its auditorium taken down back in 1997, and now a vibrant new mixed-use project is set to transform the property, with an investment of $130 million going into its development. This will certainly breathe new life into the area!
Encouraging Business Growth
Another focus of the meeting was the expansion of the Greenville-Anderson multi-county business park, which is now encompassing a property located at the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR). The Donaldson Company Inc. is planning to invest a minimum of $9.1 million to establish a life sciences research and development facility, which will also provide job opportunities for local residents.
Support for Hurricane Helene Victims
An important update was shared regarding property owners affected by Hurricane Helene. The city government has waived permit fees for those needing to rebuild or repair their homes and businesses. To further expedite the process, the council approved a temporary suspension on certain requirements to allow for quicker permitting, benefiting those who have faced challenges from the storm.
Addressing Traffic Collisions
Shifting gears to traffic enforcement, the council received an update on the work being done by the Greenville Police Department’s collision reconstruction unit. This specialized nine-person team handles cases that involve serious injuries or fatalities. So far this year, a staggering 4,700 collisions have been documented, with this unit investigating about 41% of them, including the tragic eleven fatalities reported.
Promising Future Ahead
With over 5,631 traffic citations issued by the police department this year alone, it’s clear that concerted efforts are being made to ensure road safety. Chief Howie Thompson has mentioned that around half of those citations were written by the collision unit, showcasing their dedication to keeping our streets safe.
As Greenville residents look forward to these exciting changes, it’s evident that the city is taking big strides to enhance safety on the roads and beyond, promoting a safer environment for everyone. Change is on the horizon, and it seems promising!
