Travelers Rest gets approval, funding for mid-block pedestrian crosswalks

TRAVELERS REST, S.C. — Plans are in the works for two new pedestrian crosswalks to be installed across Main Street in Travelers Rest.

In late June, S.C. Dept. of Transportation officials approved a standing request to implement mid-block crosswalks in the city, authorizing the installation of two: one to cross Main Street at Church Street (near the Cafe at Williams Hardware), the other to cross Main Street at Old Buncombe Road (near the gazebo).

Following Travelers Rest City Council's July committee meeting discussions, city officials proceeded with a third-party cost estimate, and it was determined that the project would cost $171,000. 

Last week, City Administrator Dianna Turner presented the project to the Greenville Legislative Delegation Transportation Committee, the body charged with administering the county's portion of revenue generated from the state gas tax. The committee voted to fund $146,700 of the Travelers Rest Main Street project, leaving the city with an estimated cost of $24,300.

One pedestrian crosswalk will cross Main Street near the Gazebo.

According to Turner, the crosswalks were designed to be consistent with the ones that were installed in 2009, adding that at the time of their installation the city was not allowed to install mid-block crosswalks on Main Street, which is a state-owned road (Hwy. 276).

Also as part of the new SCDOT approval, the city was authorized the city to install "turning vehicles yield to pedestrians" signage at signal intersections.

"This is part of the city's effort to make Main Street walkable and safe for all modes of travel," Turner said.

Turner said the next step in the crosswalk project with be to get it engineered, then it will be opened to bidding. Due to work not being possible in the winter months, the project is expected to begin March or April of 2016.

Approximately 14,000 cars use the road each day, according to official estimates.

In 2014, SCDOT approved a city request to lower the speed limit on Main Street from 35 m.p.h. to 30 m.p.h.