Ezekiel

Another item on SCDOT's webiste listed as an 'Active Project' for Spartanburg County is a study of the feasiblility of relocating the CSX rail line near Greer closer to the Norfolk Southern line: http://www.dot.state.sc.us/doing/Accelerat...rg&mp=30945 I wonder if a similar relocation might eventually be considered for the CSX line on Spartanburg's west side. The existing route that crosses West Blackstock a little of the mall is rarely used but would make a great walk/bike route from downtown, past Spartanburg Methodist College, all the way to the mall area. [sorry, should read "crosses West blackstock a little north of the mall"]

Regarding I-585, I found this on the SCDOT website under 'Active Projects.' http://www.scdot.org/doing/AcceleratedProj...mp;id=37176RD01 I know that considerable work has already been down improving the I-585/SC-9/US-221 interchanges, including adding the very useful exit at 9 on 585 south. But if I read the info on the website correctly, it sounds like further work may be planned, including raising the overpass at California Ave. Can any of you clarify this for me? Thanks.

Sorry, the most recent news I found on that is from a year ago: http://www.goupstate.com/article/20080203/...371/1051/NEWS01 Anyone else?

Actually I guess our best hope (meaning that which has the best chance of actually happening) is that SC 129 is extended past the new Adidas distribution facility to tie into Fairforest Rd. or Fairforest-Clevedale (I think that's what turns into Hayne St.). Then maybe N. Blackstock could be extended, parallel to I-26, to link up as well.

Well I'm wondering if SCDOT might consider upgrading that interchange to improve access for the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Highway Patrol. I know it's very wishful thinking.

I'm sure this is a longshot, but I wonder whether the presence of the DMV office on Fairforest just off 85 Business Loop might help in obtaining funding for an upgrade of at least that interchange. Stranger things have happened with road construction in this state.

Maybe the bridges over Business 85 at Fairforest, New Cut, and Hwy 9 could be retained but the ramps made more circular? Some of them are as sharp as U-turns right now. I would think they are particularly awkward for big trucks.

One of the posts from a few years ago mentioned plans to make the US 176/new I-85 interchange 'high-speed.' May I ask, is this what is there now, in 2009? Or are further upgrades like circular ramps planned?

Hopefully the vacancies and in some cases demolitions along this corridor might facilitate interchange upgrades. The old Budget Inn at Fairforest Rd. has been torn down, I believe the Howard Johnson's and much around it is vacant, Mrs. Smith's is idle, etc. One thing I find interesting is that the bridge where New Cut Rd. passes over new 85 (although there's no freeway access there) is 4 lanes wide whereas New Cut itself is only 2 lanes wide. I wonder if they were planning ahead or if federal code simply requires that all new Interstate overpasses be a minimum of 4 lanes.

Thank you for reviving this thread. I re-read the posts from the beginning and would encourage others to do so, particularly those around #10 through 20. These concern the need to upgrade 85 Business Loop and the political necessity of re-designating it an "Interstate" to make it eligible for federal funds. The new federal stimulus bill consists largely of spending on infrastructure, and we certainly wouldn't want Spartanburg to miss out on its share. To quote Roads Scholar from four years ago, concerning such a redesignation:

Hi, I haven't posted in quite awhile and I'm not sure this is the right thread, but I remember some discussion at one point about the possibility of extending West Blackstock Rd. up to Fairforest Rd. or even I-85 Business Loop. I'd say with the advent of Costco, the Spartan 16 Cinema, Holiday Inn Express, and the new motel going up across the street, such an extension cannot come soon enough. It would make it easier for anyone from north of 85 to get to the mall and take some of the load off the Blackstock/29 intersection. Having driven the new SC 296 route through Roebuck, I'd like to see something similar over the railroad tracks in Arcadia.