City of Travelers Rest announces intersection closure ahead of construction

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  Travel and Leisure on Tue, Oct 21st, 2025 by Fox Carolina

Travelers Rest to Close Main‑St. Intersection for Major Road‑Widening and Pedestrian Safety Upgrade

Travelers Rest, South Carolina – The city of Travelers Rest announced that it will temporarily close a key intersection on Main Street, the city’s primary commercial corridor, in order to carry out a comprehensive roadway and pedestrian safety upgrade. The closure is slated to begin on November 4 and is expected to last until early January, with the city providing several detour options and a detailed traffic management plan.

The intersection slated for closure is the junction of Main Street and West Main Street (formerly known as West Carolina Avenue), a busy cross‑street that handles roughly 12,000 vehicles each day and serves several anchor stores, restaurants, and the city’s downtown office complex. According to the city’s Transportation and Infrastructure Department, the project will widen the existing two‑lane roadway to three lanes in each direction, install new signalized crosswalks, and replace aging traffic signals with modern, sensor‑based controls. The upgrade also includes a new pedestrian overpass that will provide safe, ADA‑compliant access between the downtown retail area and the nearby train station.

City Manager Mark Hightower explained that the intersection “has been a bottleneck for years,” citing rising traffic volumes and recent pedestrian fatalities. “The new design will reduce congestion, improve travel times, and significantly enhance safety for both drivers and walkers,” he said. The project is part of the city’s long‑term “Vision 2030” plan to modernize transportation infrastructure while preserving Travelers Rest’s historic charm.

The funding for the intersection upgrade comes from a mix of state and federal sources. The city secured a $3.2 million grant from the South Carolina Department of Transportation’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and a $1.5 million contribution from the Federal Highway Administration’s Rural Development Program. The city’s own budget will cover the remaining $1.1 million, which includes design, construction, and traffic control costs.

The closure will affect not only drivers but also local businesses. City officials anticipate a temporary dip in foot traffic for retailers located on the intersection’s north and south sides, including the popular “Brewed Awakening” coffee shop and the “Artisan Jewelers” boutique. In response, the city has arranged a temporary “Business Continuity Fund” to provide a 5 % tax incentive for businesses affected by the construction. Additionally, the city’s Economic Development Office is working with local merchants to promote online sales and delivery services during the closure period.

The city’s Transportation Department released a traffic management plan that includes detour routes for northbound and southbound traffic on Main Street. Drivers traveling north on Main Street will be redirected via Church Street and then east on Third Avenue before rejoining Main Street at the intersection with the eastbound lane. Southbound traffic will use the parallel lanes on Oak Street and then reconnect with Main Street after the closure zone. Traffic signals will be temporarily adjusted to accommodate increased volumes on these detour routes. The city will also deploy temporary traffic officers on the day of the closure to manage traffic flow and respond to any incidents.

The project’s timeline is set in three phases:

1. Phase I – Preparation (November 4–10) – The city will close the intersection for equipment installation and utility relocation. Detour routes will be sign‑posted and traffic signals temporarily set to a “closed” mode.
2. Phase II – Construction (November 11–December 15) – Main work will be carried out, including lane widening, new signal installation, and pedestrian overpass construction. Minor traffic interruptions may occur as construction crews work on the roadway.
3. Phase III – Testing and Commissioning (December 16–January 4) – The new traffic signals and pedestrian crossing will be tested. The city will conduct a final inspection to ensure all components meet safety standards before reopening the intersection to normal traffic.

The city also announced that it will hold a public meeting on October 28 at the Travelers Rest Community Center to discuss the project in detail, address resident concerns, and provide a live Q&A session with the Transportation Director, Jasmine Patel. The meeting will be streamed live on the city’s website and recorded for later viewing. Residents are encouraged to attend and submit questions via the city’s online portal.

For additional details on the project, the city’s website hosts a comprehensive PDF briefing titled “Main Street Intersection Upgrade – Detailed Design and Implementation Plan”. The briefing outlines technical specifications, projected traffic improvements, and a map of detour routes. The document also includes a cost breakdown, timeline, and a risk assessment. The city’s Transportation Department will update the PDF monthly to reflect any changes in the construction schedule or budget.

The intersection closure is part of a broader effort by Travelers Rest to upgrade its transportation infrastructure in line with state guidelines for safer, more efficient roads. City officials hope that the temporary inconvenience will lead to long‑term benefits, including reduced travel times, lower accident rates, and a more pedestrian‑friendly downtown environment.

Travelers Rest residents and commuters are urged to plan their routes ahead of the closure and to stay informed via the city’s social media channels, website updates, and the “Travelers Rest Traffic Alert” radio broadcast. The city has also requested that local businesses collaborate with the city’s Business Continuity Fund to mitigate the economic impact of the construction.

By investing in modern infrastructure and prioritizing safety, Travelers Rest aims to balance growth with its historic character, ensuring that the city remains a vibrant and accessible destination for residents, visitors, and businesses alike.