Spartanburg County Adds Roundabout to Busy Intersection

Introduction

The way drivers navigate through one of the fussiest intersections in Spartanburg County is about to change. The county has decided to add a roundabout at the intersection of Berry Shoals and Apple Valley Roads, aimed at enhancing safety and reducing traffic congestion.

A Reliable Solution

According to Billy Martin, Supervising Engineer at the Spartanburg County Transportation Committee, the decision to install a roundabout in the intersection reflects the local government’s commitment to creating a safe and efficient driving environment for residents. “A roundabout always works, power goes off, the roundabout still works,” Martin explained. If the traffic signal stops working, it instantly creates chaos. Hence, the roundabout is a reliable solution.

Construction and Detours

Construction work began last week and is expected to have some impact on local traffic. A detour planned on Apple Valley Road is expected to last for a month, weather permitting.

The Reasons Behind the Move

The decision to replace the current intersection setup with a roundabout was not taken lightly. Over the past two years alone, 43 crashes have been reported at the intersection. Roundabouts, known for their ability to slow down traffic and improve flow, have been proven a successful method to not only reduce accidents but also near misses.

“We’re not going to eliminate crashes, we just hope to eliminate severe injury and fatal crashes,” Martin stated. He further mentioned that this intersection holds an unusual high number of concerning events, which necessitated immediate attention.

The Public’s Reaction

The plan to institute the roundabout has overall gotten positive feedback from local residents. One resident, Patrick Griffey, expressed complete support for the initiative, saying, “Totally supportive of putting a roundabout in that intersection, it gets a little hairy when we go through there so I love the idea.”

Timeline

Expectations are high for the completion of this project. If all goes well, the roundabout should be fully operational within two months.

Last Thoughts

With hopes high and construction already underway, all eyes will remain on Spartanburg County and its drive to improve road safety conditions. It remains to be seen how effective this new roundabout will be in reducing accidents and improving overall traffic conditions, but the fact that it’s even being tried is a win in itself.

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