Slow Going On Main Street

August 12, 2006

By BOBBY HARRELL
Index-Journal staff writer

GREENWOOD, SC - Greenwood residents might have experienced some delays while driving past the construction on South Main Street in the past few weeks, and it isn’t going to get better anytime soon.

Construction will continue for at least another two months, Assistant City Manager Charlie Barrineau said.

One lane of traffic has been closed once a day since construction began July 26, said Ken Bowyer, outdoor construction manager for Lynnstar, the general contractor for the project.

Both lanes are currently open, but that can change depending on what work needs to be done, Barrineau said.

Two inside lanes will be closed in the next few days while curbs and landscapes are built.

The project is being funded by the South Carolina Department of Transportation’s (SCDOT) enhancement program. SCDOT Commissioner Marion Carnell helped secure the grant for the city.

The City of Greenwood, Uptown Greenwood Development Corp. and the Commissioners of Public Works are participating in the project.

The overall goal is to build a gateway into the southern end of Greenwood, Barrineau said

“It’s an exciting project,” he said.

Construction on the abandoned railroad corridor across from the old Winn-Dixie and south from Inn on the Square to just before Greenwood High Apartments is the second part of the Uptown Greenwood streetscaping project.

The first section of streetscaping began two weeks ago on two areas in the middle of Main Street. Curbed medians, much like the traffic islands lining Uptown Greenwood, will be created to ease traffic into Uptown.

A third phase will add a new entrance sign to Greenwood across from the old Winn-Dixie.
Digging up rocky ground and replacing it with better topsoil is the first part of the current project, said Boyd Purdy, president of BHC Trucking.

Purdy’s company has been subcontracted to move dirt for the project.

The new soil will cut out the potential liability the city might have faced by lawnmowers slinging stones from the former rocky ground at nearby cars, Barrineau said.

In the future, an irrigation system will be put in to maintain the corridor.

The corridor will be beautified with about 20 oak trees, street lighting and more green space.
The streetscaping project is part of the City Center Masterplan, which includes revitalization of the Greenwood Community Theatre.