Major Project Planned for ‘High Crash Corridor’ in Greenville Co.

Greenville, South Carolina

The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) is set to make significant safety enhancements along a one-mile segment of Wade Hampton Boulevard, from East Lee Road to Watson Road. With nearly 500 crashes reported from 2017-2021, this section has been labeled a high crash corridor by the South Carolina Department of Public Safety. The upcoming project aims to reduce the frequency and severity of accidents, with various safety measures planned to improve the road for drivers and pedestrians.

Safety Enhancements Planned

The project includes several key safety enhancements along the one-mile stretch. SCDOT plans to upgrade signal equipment at intersections to improve their efficiency and safety. Concrete medians will be installed in areas with a high incidence of crashes to reduce the risk of collisions and prevent vehicles from crossing into opposing lanes. Additionally, the project includes the installation of wheelchair ramps, crosswalks, and countdown signals to enhance pedestrian safety.

Community Feedback

Local business owners and residents have mixed opinions about the project. Some, like nearby business owner Doug Young, acknowledge the need for improved safety but question the feasibility of certain parts of the plan. Young expressed concerns about the installation of concrete medians, believing they may hinder emergency vehicles.

“I think having signals on the light for turn lanes, that will be excellent, but I think if you cut down the lanes, you’re not going to have a lane for turning,” Young said. “I don’t know that slowing down the traffic is the thing. It’s at the intersections where the lights are and people are trying to get around that light as quickly as they can.”

“I’m all for safety, crosswalks, sidewalks. My main concern is taking the median and putting concrete there. I think it will cause a bigger problem mostly because of the fire trucks, ambulances, and the police cars. I just don’t see how there’s going to be enough room for people to get off the road. I just don’t see how it’s going to work,” Young added.

Public Information Session

The SCDOT is providing opportunities for public input. An upcoming public information session is scheduled for Thursday, June 20 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at 2600 Wade Hampton Boulevard. The project is slated to begin in the fall of 2026, with construction expected to take around 12 months.

Greenwood Project

In addition to the Wade Hampton Blvd. project, the DOT is also planning a major project in Greenwood. Drivers in Greenwood can provide feedback about a widening project on Highway 246. The project includes widening the highway from two lanes to five lanes, covering a distance of about three miles from U.S. 221 through the Emerald Road intersection.

The plan also involves widening a portion of the road from two to three lanes for approximately one mile, extending from Emerald Road to S.C. 702. The project includes the replacement and widening of the bridge over the CSX railroad. The estimated cost of the project is $50 million, with funding coming from Greenwood County Capital Project Sales Tax and the State Transportation Infrastructure Bank.

Community Input Meeting

The DOT is seeking input from the community in Greenwood. A public input meeting is set to take place at Siloam Baptist Church in Greenwood from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18. The project is scheduled to begin in mid-2027.

Both projects aim to improve safety, traffic flow, and economic development in their respective areas. With public input sessions planned, residents have the opportunity to share their thoughts and concerns about these major infrastructure improvements.