Highway death trends change

Backroads may not be where most fatal accidents occur, report shows

JANUARY 11, 2010 9:58 a.m. (0)

Lonely back roads that zigzag across South Carolina’s rural countryside for years have been the backdrop to a majority of the state’s fatal car crashes.

So much so, in fact, that in recent years South Carolina has led the country with the majority of its traffic deaths happening away from the busy traffic arteries and urban congestion most cities in the state are known for.  Continue reading...

 

Signs 'O the times

Markers are aimed at making roads safer, for about $1 million

FEBRUARY 24, 2010 9:17 a.m. (0)

Traffic signs don’t do anyone much good if they aren’t visible at night.

Although a quarter of accidents happen at night, the Federal Highway Administration reports, half of fatalities occur during those hours – making visibility an apparent link to the most serious accidents.  Continue reading...

 

The view from here

Gridlock on I-85

AUGUST 29, 2010 10:51 a.m. (0)

It’s arguably the most important section of Interstate 85 in South Carolina.

A 22-mile stretch from White Horse Road in Greenville County to State 129 in Spartanburg County is a key transportation artery – for tractor trailers supplying some of the Upstate’s biggest industrial plants and distribution centers, for Upstate residents working at them and other businesses located near them and for Atlanta- and Charlotte-bound traffic passing through.  Continue reading...

 

I-85, I-385: construction zone

Public input is sought on interchange fix

MARCH 13, 2011 9:41 a.m. (0)

Interstate 85 and Interstate 385 in and around Greenville will essentially be a construction zone for the next five or six years.

South Carolina Department of Transportation officials are accepting public comment on two options still under consideration for the biggest portion of it – a $235- million rebuilding of the I-85 and I-385 interchange.

The project is expected revamp one of Greenville’s busiest and most congested stretches of highway.  Continue reading...

 

The Stone Avenue plan

Proposal has some business owners worried about traffic, economic development

FEBRUARY 28, 2011 8:23 a.m. (0)

Some say Stone Avenue could be a lot like the West End – a place where families live and hang out, a place filled with shoppers and unique businesses and a place where people intend to go, not just go through.

“Stone Avenue right now is not an attractive place,” said Mike Cubelo, vice president of the North Main Community Association. “It’s a sad-looking strip of road.”

Some neighborhood residents say a Stone Avenue master plan approved on principle by the city council Monday night will help transform the Stone Avenue area into a dramatically different north end of Greenville.  Continue reading...

 

Greenlink extends bus hours

New route will address increases in ridership

FEBRUARY 17, 2011 2:46 p.m. (0)

The Greenlink bus system will merge two routes on March 5 to create a new route with longer hours.

The route, which runs through the Berea area, will now run from 5:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. on Saturdays.

Shelia Schmitt, the general manager of Greenlink said changes and improvements are always in the works as they look to improve services to customers. A key part in this new route that will address increases in ridership is the expansion of hours offered to customers.  Continue reading...

 

Update desk: DOT mulls fixes to I-85

"Diverging diamond" formation being considered to alleviate congestion

MAY 5, 2011 10:45 a.m. (0)

One of the solutions being studied by the South Carolina Department of Transportation to ease congestion along a 22-mile stretch of Interstate 85 in Spartanburg and Greenville counties is being used at five sites in the country.

Diverging diamonds temporarily put drivers on the left side of the road at interchanges to eliminate the need for drivers to make left turns in front of oncoming traffic.

“It’s a radical approach,” said Michael Dennis, project engineer with the state DOT.  Continue reading...

 

Caring, here

State program helps families deal with pain of traffic fatalities

JULY 7, 2011 11:55 a.m. (0)

Families never get over the sudden death of a loved one; the harshness of losing a father, mother, or child in a traffic accident is especially traumatic.

An unnecessarily big part of that trauma used to come with a knock at the door and a wooden recitation of the bare facts by a spit and shine trooper or deputy.

That’s different now, said Faith Turner, coordinator for Families of Highway Fatalities, which is run through the state Department of Public Safety.  Continue reading...