News Summary
Spartanburg County faces road challenges following the South Carolina Department of Transportation’s announcement of the South Spencer Street bridge closure for urgent repairs. This closure will last until the end of the week, impacting local drivers who must find alternative routes. Additionally, lane closures on I-26 due to further repairs are anticipated to cause delays. Recovery efforts from Tropical Storm Helene are ongoing, with future bridge replacements planned to enhance infrastructure safety in the region.
Emergency Repairs Lead to Road Closures and Detours in Spartanburg County
Spartanburg County is experiencing some traffic challenges as the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) has announced the closure of the South Spencer Street bridge over the South Tyger River for much-needed repairs. This closure is expected to last until the end of the week, so drivers should prepare for detours during this time.
What’s Happening on South Spencer Street?
If you’re used to driving across the South Spencer Street bridge, you’ll need to find an alternative route while repairs are underway. The bridge will not be open to through traffic, but local drivers will have access to parts of South Spencer Street—just not the bridge area itself.
For those looking to navigate around the closure, an easy detour has been suggested. Start by taking South Spencer Street to Woods Chapel Road. From there, turn left onto Robinson Road and continue on to the roundabout. Finally, merge onto Victor Hill Road, and you’ll be able to find your way back to South Spencer Street. It’s relatively straightforward, but keep an eye out for signs marking any changes in traffic patterns.
I-26 Lane Closure
But that’s not all! There’s also an additional lane closure on I-26, specifically the outside travel lane on the eastbound side, near mile markers 7 and 8. This closure is due to emergency repairs on a bridge surface above Lake Bowen. The lane closure began at mid-morning on a Monday and is likely to cause some delays, especially during peak traffic times.
Similar to the South Spencer Street bridge, this lane is expected to reopen by the end of the week, so plan your travels accordingly if I-26 is part of your route.
Storm Recovery Efforts
These repairs come on the heels of damages inflicted by Tropical Storm Helene. As part of their recovery efforts, SCDOT is gearing up to replace a total of 10 bridges in 2025 that were affected by the storm, including one in Spartanburg County. The goal is to enhance infrastructure safety, ensuring that roads and bridges can withstand future weather challenges.
Among the bridges set for replacement is the S-115 bridge over the Middle Tyger River in nearby Greenville County. A detailed 9.4-mile detour will be in effect for this bridge replacement, and those who travel through that area should be attentive to new signage as the project unfolds.
Future Construction Plans
In addition to the currently scheduled repairs, SCDOT has plans for future construction on a number of bridges in the region—specifically targeting the South Hudson Street bridge over the Reedy River and West Washington Street in Greenville County. These projects are intended to address structural deficiencies and prioritize reliability along key routes within the affected communities.
For those who use New Cut Road in Spartanburg County, the S-52 bridge over Motlow Creek is also on the list for replacement. A 7.7-mile detour will be put in place for both northbound and southbound traffic, helping to manage the construction traffic effectively.
Construction on these vital projects is set to begin in winter 2025, with the intentions of expediting the process and minimizing disruptions to daily travel for residents and commuters.
With road closures and detours in effect, it’s a good time to check your routes, find alternatives, and plan ahead. The SCDOT is working diligently to improve our roads, even if it sometimes requires a bit of patience along the way!
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Additional Resources
- WSPA: Bridge in Spartanburg Co Closed for Repairs
- Wikipedia: Bridge
- Fox Carolina: SCDOT Lane Closing I-26 Spartanburg Co Bridge Repairs
- Google Search: SCDOT bridge repairs
- Go Upstate: Crews Working to Repair Bridge Over Lake Bowen on I-26
- Google Scholar: Spartanburg County bridge repairs
- Greenville Online: SCDOT Emergency Bridge Replacement
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Bridge repairs
- Post and Courier: SCDOT Bridge Repairs in Spartanburg
- Google News: South Carolina road closures
