GREENVILLE, S.C. (HERE NEWS) – Safety improvements are coming to a major highway in Greenville County starting March 1.
US 25 Rural Road Safety Improvement Project
A major highway that was part of our very first Getting Answers report is getting safety improvements. Starting March 1, crews will begin work on the US 25 Rural Road Safety Improvement Project. We stayed on top of the progress when the South Carolina Department of Transportation repaved a portion of the road in Greenville County in 2022. Now, crews will install rumble strips, add more guardrails, and widen the shoulders on a northern portion of the highway in Travelers Rest. Construction will happen in several phases, beginning at Belvue Road in Travelers Rest and continue up about 15 miles to the state line.
High Traffic Volume and Safety Concerns
James Hudson, a resident who lives near the highway, emphasized the high traffic volume and safety concerns on US-25. With nearly 300,000 drivers utilizing the road in Greenville County daily, Hudson expressed the challenges of navigating the busy highway. From 2017 to 2021, the South Carolina Department of Public Safety reports more than 680 accidents along the 15-mile stretch between Belvue and the North Carolina line.
As a retired road worker, Hudson highlighted the importance of safety measures such as guardrails to prevent vehicles from veering off the road into hazardous areas. While he acknowledged the value of widening shoulders to allow vehicles to move out of traffic lanes in case of emergencies, he questioned the overall effectiveness of certain improvements in reducing accidents.
Construction Details and Traffic Impact
This project will proceed in multiple phases and is anticipated to affect traffic during construction. Motorists should anticipate temporary lane closures and flagging operations until the work is concluded. While the majority of construction will occur during daylight hours, some activities may extend into overnight hours. The entire project is scheduled to span a year and a half, with completion expected by the Fall of 2025.
