Frequently Asked Questions

To improve operational efficiency and alleviate traffic congestion on Woodruff Road between I-385 and Roper Mountain Rd./Verdae Blvd.

Improvements along this section of roadway have been identified by the Greenville-Pickens Area Transportation Study (GPATS) and SCDOT due to the high traffic volumes, delays, and congestion.

No, this is a different standalone project however the effects of the Gateway Project were accounted for in the project design and analysis.

Widening Woodruff Road to 7 travel lanes was considered; however, the findings determined that a 7-lane Woodruff Road would not operate at acceptable levels or alleviate congestion because the projected traffic volumes would exceed 70,000 vehicles per day.

The proposed project would reduce congestion and improve traffic flow along Woodruff Road by providing an alternate route. In addition, intersections and connecting side roads would be improved to further improve access and mobility.

The proposed roadway will include two, 12-foot-wide travel lanes in each direction, a raised /planted median along the majority of the road with isolated areas of paved median, 5-foot-wide sidewalk on one side, and a 10-foot-wide multiuse path on the other side. (Project Display)

Yes, the roadway would include a 5-foot-wide sidewalk on one side and a 10-foot-wide multiuse path on the other side.

The proposed project will include new bridges over I-85 and I-385. Minor delays may occur during construction, but the project would have no further impact on these vital interstate routes.

The traffic analysis performed along the corridor identified roundabouts as safe, efficient intersection types at multiple locations. This design will provide continuous traffic flow with minimal stopping which improves overall traffic conditions. Roundabouts also exhibit the characteristics of a pedestrian friendly parkway.

Yes, if roundabouts' level of service (measurement of traffic operations/conditions) had not met an acceptable rating then signalized intersections would be used. A signalized intersection will be modified at the intersection of existing Woodruff Road and the new alternate route.

The City of Greenville has used various short-term traffic controls along Woodruff Road during certain time frames (i.e. holiday season). However, the purpose of this project is to provide a long-term solution to improve traffic along Woodruff Road. Improvements will be implemented along Woodruff Road that will further improve the overall conditions, including installation of raised medians and intersection improvements as part of this project.

The proposed project is designed to accommodate traffic through 2045. This will be accomplished by providing an alternate route with controlled access and isolated improvements (i.e. raised medians) to Woodruff Road. The medians will assist in maintaining the new parallel route for use as a bypass. Local municipalities have the ultimate authority on approving zoning and building permits for businesses.

Because this project is receiving Federal funding there are strict guidelines that must be adhered to. These guidelines include the use of the funding only within public rights of way. Connecting access roads between parking lots and retail areas owned by commercial business would be the responsibility of the developments. We evaluated the movements in shopping centers immediately adjacent to Woodruff Road. We did not investigate the internal movements of the individual shopping centers due many obstacles, primarily because they are private properties. Access improvements are being implemented on Woodruff Road between Ketron Court and Industrial Lane that will help manage shopping center traffic. Additionally, improving traffic in shopping centers would not satisfy the project's purpose and need in relieving traffic along Woodruff Road.

Project construction is anticipated to begin in spring 2026 and end in spring 2029.

SCDOT identified and studied numerous alternatives as a result of information gathered during the public information meeting and associated efforts. In addition, SCDOT completed an environmental assessment (EA) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) which included extensive design, traffic studies, and local coordination efforts.

Numerous potential alternatives were identified and studied to ensure the selection of the most reasonable and practicable alternative. Since federal funding is involved, the project must also comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) which requires additional procedural actions.

No, the virtual public hearing effort, project development, and delivery continued despite COVID-19 gathering restrictions.

The alignment location between Market Point Drive and Carolina Point Parkway has changed.

The proposed design has been further developed and the proposed new right-of-way limits have been refined.

No, proposed right-of-way lines shown on the project display are not final and are subject to change.

SCDOT will purchase all right-of-way according to the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, amended in 1987. SCDOT policies and procedures are outlined in: https://www.scdot.org/business/pdf/rightofway/HighwaysandYou.pdf

A SCDOT right-of-way representative will contact you following completion of the NEPA process and the development of right-of-way design plans. In this case, right-of-way acquisition is scheduled to begin in spring 2023.

• Will I be paid for having to relocate?
  Yes. Property acquisitions will be appropriately appraised and you will be compensated accordingly.

Property owners with anticipated relocation impacts were personally delivered postcards with this notification.

To identify properties with anticipated right of way impacts that that are not relocations please refer to the project display on the Project Resources page. There is a new right-of-way line on the proposed project design that illustrates potential areas to be acquired for construction.

The proposed new right-of-way lines shown on the display are preliminary and will be further refined as design progresses, and the right-of-way phase begins. You may contact the Project Manager, Casey Lucas at 803-737-1087 or fixwoodruffroad@scdot.org and she can provide a customized map or additional information regarding potential impacts to your property or business. For more general information you may also refer to the Relocation Impact Study. In addition, maps showing impacts from the proposed design (Preferred Alternative 6C) can also be found on pages 42-45 (Figures 11-14) of the Environmental Assessment (EA).

The projects' impacts are detailed in the environmental assessment (EA). The proposed project will impact wetlands and streams, displace/relocate residential properties and businesses, and require new right-of-way. Please view the impacts matrix on the Project Resources page for a condensed view of the anticipated impacts.

Temporary traffic delays are anticipated to occur during construction but at this time no long-term detours are anticipated. Delays will be minimized through notifications, work schedule, and construction sequencing. More detailed information will be available as the project continues to develop.

The estimated total project cost is $121 million. This includes design, acquisition of necessary right of way for construction, and construction of the project.

No, this project is not funded through the Roads Bill. The Woodruff Road Congestion Relief Project is funded through Greenville-Pickens Area Transportation Study's guide share funding allocations. The Roads Bill is assisting in funding SCDOT's 10-year plan which focuses on resurfacings, interstate improvements, bridge replacements, and safety projects. More on these programs can be found here: https://www.scdot.org/projects/ten-year-plan.aspx.

This project is funded through the Greenville-Pickens Area Transportation Study's (GPATS) allocated guide share funding. These funds are put towards projects that are ranked and evaluated by GPATS to identify priorities in the region. SCDOT is addressing existing infrastructure needs through SCDOT's 10-year plan which focuses on resurfacings, interstate improvements, bridge replacements, and safety projects. More on these programs can be found here: https://www.scdot.org/projects/ten-year-plan.aspx.

There are several other projects in the area that are either in development or in construction. See the following list or visit SCDOTs Project viewer or GPATS project viewer for other projects.

• SC 146 Woodruff Road Widening Project in Greenville County
• I-85/I-385 Gateway Project

For the public hearing, every effort was made to send postcards to everyone in the project area based on multiple U.S. Postal Service routes within three zip codes. Over 18,200 postcards were mailed on June 26, 2020 with additional postcards sent to residences and businesses to be potentially relocated or displaced. In addition, yard signs and variable message signs were posted in the area on June 26, 2020, an ad was placed in The Greenville News, and a media briefing was conducted on July 7, 2020. The public hearing was also promoted on social media.

For the April 2022 public information meeting, over 1,400 postcards were sent to residences and businesses on March 29, 2022, yard signs and variable message boards were posted along the corridor on March 21 and March 29, 2022, and two advertisements were placed in The Greenville News. Letters were sent to residents and businesses with property impacts or to be potentially relocated. The meeting was also promoted on social media and news outlets