Downtown Greenville bridge to get new sidewalks, lighting, pedestrian stairs in 2025

Savannah Moss, Greenville News
Updated ·2 min read

Replacement of lighting, five-foot sidewalks, a new concrete overlay and more are all slated to improve U.S. 29/Church Street bridge in Greenville. Construction is anticipated to begin at the beginning of 2025.

Before that, SCDOT will hold a meeting on April 16 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Hellenic Center at 406 N. Academy St., regarding the project, where SCDOT officials will detail construction phasing, suggested alternate routes, detour routes and traffic impacts.

Cars pass over the US 29/Church Street Bridge on Wednesday, April 3, 2024.
Cars pass over the US 29/Church Street Bridge on Wednesday, April 3, 2024.

The bridge extends over Broad Street and McBee Avenue and ushers drivers into the heart of downtown Greenville. In 2021, Church Street from Augusta Street to North Spring Street had an average daily traffic volume of 26,300 vehicles, according to SCDOT. It is expected that number will grow to more than 38,000 by 2039.

Built in 1959, the bridge began to age, especially after growth in Greenville increased. The bridge also does not meet current design and safety standards, according to the Federal Highway Administration InfoBridge database.

Since 2017, the bridge has been scheduled for rehabilitation but was placed on hold to secure funding. Options including removing the bridge entirely were explored by both the city of Greenville and SCDOT.

Now, after funding became available through SCDOT, the plan is to rehabilitate and reconfigure the bridge.

A chunk of concrete is seen missing from under US 29/ Church Street Bridge on Wednesday, April 3, 2024.
A chunk of concrete is seen missing from under US 29/ Church Street Bridge on Wednesday, April 3, 2024.

Changes include:

  • Replacing lighting

  • Raising bridge handrail

  • Repair and overlay bridge deck

  • Replace pedestrian stairs

  • Repair drainage systems

  • Install 5-foot sidewalk

  • Remove median barrier

  • Add a 9-foot sidewalk with planter boxes.

A sign for a project update meeting is seen underneath US 29/Church Street Bridge on Wednesday, April 3, 2024.
A sign for a project update meeting is seen underneath US 29/Church Street Bridge on Wednesday, April 3, 2024.

SCDOT says during construction, traffic flow will be “maintained across the bridge” and advises travelers who frequent the bridge to expect delays or utilize an alternative route. For pedestrians, SCDOT notes it is expected that the sidewalk on the bridge will be closed. Pedestrians can opt to use Falls Street and East Camperdown Way.

Savannah Moss covers Greenville County politics and growth/development. Reach her at smoss@gannett.com or follow her on X @Savmoss.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Downtown Greenville's Church St. bridge to undergo construction in 2025