Highway Department sets new timeline for Spartanburg intersection project, residents still concerned (2024)

SPARTANBURG — A plan from state transportation officials to reshape a busy, messy four-way intersection on Spartanburg’s Westside has residents still seeking answers.

The intersection of Reidville, Anderson Mill and Oak Grove roads can be confusing for drivers and pedestrians. Earlier this year, the state Department of Transportation proposed a projectit says will “increase safety and improve operational efficiency.”

Part of its plan is to eliminate left turns at the main intersection of Reidville and Anderson Mill.

A newschedulefor the project outlines a plan with construction starting in fall 2025 and lasting around a year. It schedules right-of-way acquisition to take place this fall.

Other updates include travel time comparisons between the intersection in its current form and DOT’s new plan.

The comparisons claim travel times will be better or about the same with the new project that would redirect drivers turning left to a new public roadway that would connect Reidville and Oak Grove.

Even with these updates indicating the project moving forward in its current state, DOT spokesperson Hannah Robinson said the project is still in its “design phase.”

In early April Robinson said that “SCDOT has begun revising the design” based on community concerns.

“We're hoping to have something to present to the public soon,” Robinson said in late July.

She later clarified by email that the department hopes “to have information to re-engage with the public by the end of the year.”

Spartanburg County Councilwoman Jessica co*ker said in an email the intersection needs improvement and is excited that DOT has “taken the time to listen to the concerns of the citizens.”

“I believe SCDOT has considered the desperate need for improvement as well as their budget and time constraints to find a solution that is achievable,” co*ker said. “I don’t think the solution is perfect, but I hope it will improve the flow of that area’s traffic issues.”

co*ker added that Reidville Road is a “top priority for improvements” via the county’s road improvement1 percent sales tax effort. She also hopes the road will see more improvements.

Some residents are unhappy with the project in its current form. At a DOT meeting about the project attended by more than 200 residents, many expressed their displeasure with the project, according to WSPA.

Hal Carson, who has lived in the West Forest subdivision for 46 years and is the president of its homeowner’s association, spoke out against the project at a county meeting in mid-March.

“To date, I have not heard positive comments on the project. I have heard a fair number of worries,” Carson said. “I’m not looking forward to having 112 families complaining.”

Carson told The Post and Courier this month that he is waiting for a response from DOT before making any new comments.

Charles and Kathryn Bennett also live near the intersection and would see their front yard become the home to much of the redirected traffic under the current plan.

They have lived there for over 30 years and think their home would lose value if DOT continued with its plan.

“I have never seen anyone advertise, any realtor advertise ‘Hey, this is a great location, it's got an intersection in your front yard,’” Charles Bennett said.

Charles and Kathryn also expressed frustration with a lack of communication with DOT.

The department has provided numerous reasons for its current design. Robinson said the design improves safety, reduces travel times and also would not force any homes or businesses to move.

She also previously said the Quadrant Roadway Intersection design is a “standardized design” by the Federal Highway Administration.

But there is still room for change, according to Robinson.

“This is a proposed project, this is not a project that is that is set in stone yet,” she said.