Spartanburg’s Big Makeover: Highway 290 on the Mend
In a notably vibrant part of Spartanburg, a host of construction projects has begun. It’s all happening on the bustling Highway 290, a crucial thoroughfare that’s in dire need of some smoothing out. This is great news for those who frequent this road on their commute, especially on those pesky early mornings.
One local driver, Molly Moore, was quoted as saying, “Especially if you’re going to Greenville on this road early in the morning, it is very difficult.” The feeling appears to be mutual among other regular highway users. The issue? A busy road that doesn’t exactly run as smoothly as they’d hope.
The Game Plan
So, how are things changing? Plans are currently afoot to revamp Highway 290. The South Carolina Department of Transportation has decided to take the bull by the horns here, building what’s known as a “diverging diamond interchange” at I-85 and SC Highway 290. This innovative design is all about optimizing traffic flow, making it easier for drivers to navigate the bustling highway and putting an end to the current squeeze.
Alongside this, Spartanburg County is resurfacing Highway 290 from Reidville Road to North Danzler. The process started a month ago, with some behind-the-scenes prepping before the actual paving could begin. Drivers started seeing the tangible improvements last week, and they can expect to see much more of the same this week, with a third of the work set to be completed.
Funded By Penny Sales Tax
This much-needed project is mainly funded by the Penny Sales Tax. It was a priority on the county’s to-do list, with a team delicately studying crash statistics, growth in the area, and the potential positive impact on the significant volume of drivers on the highway. The focus? Highway 290. Every single penny project has seen some form of progress. While this may not be immediately apparent to the public, the projects are currently being designed, with right of way acquisitions being worked out.
Night Shifts For Reduced Traffic Delays
Reducing the impact on drivers as much as possible has been key, with resurfacing work taking place predominantly at night to cut down on traffic delays. The efforts haven’t gone unnoticed, with many daily Highway 290 commuters acknowledging the area’s growth and the necessity of such improvements. If all goes according to plan, this highway revamp will be completed in the coming months.
Moving Forward
Besides the Highway 290 project, the second Penny Project involves resurfacing North Daniel Morgan Avenue. Officials announced that last week saw the completion of patch work on that vital road and the repaving process shouldn’t take more than a week. Here’s hoping that all these efforts ensure a smoother and more efficient drive for the commuters of Spartanburg, improving not just their drives but their day-to-day lives as well.
