City Of Greer: North Main Traffic Pattern Gets Thumbs-Up From Local Drivers

Press release from the City Of Greer :

October 18, 2021

Ridgeway Traffic Consulting, LLC conducted a study this summer of traffic volumes on N. Main St. (Highway 14). Based on the results of the study and the 2018-2021 accident reports from the Greer Police Department, a "road diet" was proposed for a stretch of the street.

With the blessings of the South Carolina Department of Transportation, the current four-lane divided cross-section will be restriped to a three-lane cross section with a center turn lane. The change will reduce the amount of conflict points for vehicle, leading to fewer accidents.

Terry Bragg, Director of Operations at CoTransCo (liaison to the Greenville Legislative Delegation Transportation Committee), said, “On a four-lane divided [highway], every time you make a turn in an intersection, you have eight possible conflict points. Going to a three-lane, you only have four conflict points, so the safety aspect of the project is the main reason the project’s being done.”

Local drivers, including many N. Main St. residents, came to the meeting to examine the plan. Representatives from the City of Greer, SCDOT, Sossaman Construction and CoTransCo were all in attendance to address concerns. A recurring question was how the modifications would affect traffic and drive times. Bragg explained that there would be “no change in the level of service (between) three-lane and four-lane.”

Those who came to the meeting left feeling excited and hopeful about the road modifications.

Beth King, who lives on N. Main Street, says, “I am 1,000% in favor of reducing lanes on N. Main. As a resident of N. Main, I have witnessed multiple collisions resulting in property damage. I am thrilled to have safer roads and better walkable paths in Downtown Greer. Thank you so much for listening to your local residents.”

Alan and Jill Messer, who also live on N. Main St., said, “We are so excited about this new traffic pattern and feel it will make all the difference in the world slowing down the speed on North Main and dressing up our end of Main St.”

That added safety component, she said, will make a difference for the city’s residents and drivers.

Repaving N. Main St. is expected to begin later this month with restriping to follow in November.

This press release was produced by the City Of Greer. The views expressed here are the author’s own.