In Spartanburg, a major road redevelopment project due to safety concerns stands on the horizon

As you stand at the counter of the Real Deal Philly Cheesesteak and Hoagie Shop in Spartanburg, South Carolina, it’s difficult not to notice a common hazard – speeding cars on Asheville Highway. A consistent flow of traffic highlights an issue noticed by many locals. From casual observances across the counter to tragic accidents, the risks are all too real for Spartanburg residents, and something is being done about it.

Asheville Highway: A Dangerous Path

Asheville Highway, a key artery leading from Interstate 85 into Spartanburg’s downtown, is known for its risky driving conditions. Jesse James, who works at the local restaurant, often sees the repercussions of reckless driving. “People drive crazy,” says James. “Usually, someone leaves in an ambulance. It’s one of Spartanburg County’s most dangerous roads.” And numbers confirm it: of about 50,000 accidents that happened in the county within the past five years, a significant number of those – over a thousand – resulted in serious injury or death.

Grant Fuels Roadway Improvements

But there’s good news. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All program awarded a generous sum of $16 million in federal grants last September. Together with the Spartanburg County Council’s contribution of $4 million from a voter-approved penny sales tax, Asheville Highway – along with North Pine Street – are due for substantial safety and aesthetic developments in the forthcoming years.

A Community-Involved Remodeling Plan

County officials plan to allot space for locals to share their ideas in this significant undertaking. “It will be important to have robust community engagement,” said Todd Okolichany, Spartanburg County Director of Planning and Development. Shop and business owners like John Logan and Roger Tinsley, as well as residents living nearby, are invited to contribute their thoughts and concerns for the road improvements. Tinsley, for example, welcomes the potential safety improvements but expresses hesitation about “adding trees.” He runs a car lot where, as he explains, the birds attracted to trees can result in less-than-shiny cars.

Revolutionising the Well-Trodden Paths

Interestingly, the proposed changes to Asheville Highway and North Pine Street, which together see more than 52,000 vehicles a day, involve not expanding the roads, but “dieting” them. As per the planners, the term “road diet” means the number of lanes are set to decrease, aimed at slowing down the speedy traffic, and creating newfound space for elements like sidewalk renovations, bike lanes, and roadside beautification.

“We have a unique opportunity to leverage federal dollars to reconfigure space along that corridor,” said Todd Okolichany. There may even be a new continuous bike path linking USC-Upstate students with downtown Spartanburg, according to County Council Chairman Manning Lynch.

Looking Ahead

Redesigning these important passageways is part of a larger, county-wide mission of roadway improvements worth nearly $480 million, funded by the new penny sales tax approved in 2023. An impressive 577 projects across the county are projected in the next six years. As for Asheville Highway and North Pine Street, the starting dates are pending, but the wait is filled with anticipation.

In Conclusion

For the regulars at Real Deal Philly Cheesesteak and Hoagie Shop, and many others along Asheville Highway, the promise of an improved, safer, and prettier roadway is exciting news. The hazardous and bustling Asheville Highway is on track to become a welcoming route to Spartanburg’s heart, benefitting the community at large.