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Road closure riles plenty

DOT didn't consult with Greenville on plans to close a portion of I-385

by Charles Sowell

State highway commissioners were surprised to find out no consultation was done with the Greenville business community, or with the panel controlling local road issues before the decision was made to close northbound Interstate 385 for eight months.

Department of Transportation policy precluded Greenville’s participation. Extensive talks were held with stakeholders ending at the Laurens County Line.

At a special meeting of the commission held at Donaldson Center Thursday, state Senator David Thomas, who chairs the Greenville Pickens Area Transportation Study Committee (GPATS), told commissioners he didn’t know about plans to close part of the interstate until after the project was moving forward.

The Department of Transportation has already let the contract for repaving the northbound lanes of I-385 and has begun mobilizing forces to start work shortly after Jan. 1.

Tony Chapman, deputy secretary for engineering told commissioners the department would encounter significant costs if they decided to delay the project at this stage in order to gather public input, or make significant changes in the plan.

Commissioner Sarah Nuckles said “We ought to change our policy to bring in all of the people affected by a project of this magnitude. But I understand that it’s probably too late to do anything now.”

Thomas urged DOT officials push for an early ending to the work, if it is indeed too late to modify the plan.

Chapman said there are significant financial incentives for the contractor to finish work early and a $50,000 per day penalty for missing the August done with work deadline.

He assured Thomas work would be ongoing 24-hours a day to finish on time.

Commissioners decided to do nothing at Thursday’s meeting and reconvene in the next few weeks to review plans and procedures.

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