Other Routes Encouraged During Main Street Crosswalk Project
May 12, 2008
By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal Staff Writer
Greenwood, SC - If you use Main Street through Uptown as a commuting thoroughfare and are not fond of traffic slow-downs, go ahead and start planning alternate routes.
You’re going to need them for the next couple of months.
City officials announced that Chandler Construction is set to begin work on a crosswalk project within the next week in Uptown Greenwood. Improved crosswalks are set to be installed at the intersections of Oak Avenue and Main, Maxwell Avenue and Main, and Court Avenue and Main.
“Chandler Construction will begin to mobilize within the next week,” said Greenwood Assistant City Manager Charlie Barrineau. “This project will last for approximately 60 days.” |
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Barrineau said drivers should expect traffic through that section of Main Street to be very congested once construction begins. He said there will be times when there will be only one lane of traffic going each way and other limited times when Court, Maxwell and Oak near Main Street will be shut down.
As such, the city has posted a Web site containing detailed alternate routes for those who normally use that section of Main Street only as a thoroughfare. Construction information can be found at http://www.uptowngreenwood.com/construction.aspx.
However, Barrineau was quick to note that those who normally come to do business, shop or dine in Uptown are welcome and encouraged to come. The alternate-route plan is designed for those who normally just pass through.
The crosswalk project is being paid for, in part, with a transportation enhancement grant the city was awarded in 2006. Barrineau said Marion Carnell, of the state Department of Transportation, and the Greenwood legislative delegation helped secure that grant.
Part of the project will be installing LED (light-emitting diode) crosswalk displays, which tell pedestrians when to cross the street. These will be placed on lamppost-style pillars.
Also, sections of asphalt will reportedly be cut to add in decorative brick, which will designate crosswalk space.
Barrineau said the project is designed to better maintain pedestrian safety Uptown, as it has long been difficult for residents to cross from one side of the square to the other.
“Pedestrian safety Uptown is a must as we see more businesses, more events and more residences established up there,” Barrineau said.
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Proposed Alternative Routes Starting May 12
Thru traffic coming into Uptown Greenwood via US 25 (Main Street) is encouraged to take an alternate route to avoid construction related delays. Southbound traffic is encouraged to take a left onto Seaboard Avenue, a right onto Pressley Street (which becomes Phoenix Street), and finally a right onto Taggart Avenue. This will lead back to US 25 (Main Street). Northbound traffic is encouraged to take a right onto Taggart Avenue, a left onto Phoenix Street (which becomes Pressley Street), and finally a left onto Seaborad Avenue. This leads back to US 25 (Main Street). Click on the map below to enlarge .
Thru traffic coming into Uptown Greenwood via SC 10 (Maxwell Avenue) is also encouraged to take an alternate route to avoid construction related delays. Westbound traffic on Maxwell Avenue trying to reach Main Street is encouraged to turn right onto Monument Street and then left onto Washington Avenue. Traffic coming from Main Street trying to reach Maxwell Avenue should turn right onto Mill Avenue and then left onto Kitson. This leads to Maxwell Avenue. Click on the map below to enlarge .
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