News Summary
Spartanburg County has initiated a $478 million road improvement initiative, funded by a local sales tax and set to commence in May 2024. This project will include 577 infrastructure upgrades across the county. The plan aims to enhance road quality, reducing poor road conditions while involving community engagement via an online tracking map. The funding strategy ensures no new debts or property tax hikes will occur, showcasing a commitment to responsible fiscal management amidst growing infrastructure needs.
Spartanburg, South Carolina – Spartanburg County has announced a comprehensive road improvement initiative worth $478 million, funded by a 1% local sales tax approved by voters in 2017 and renewed in 2023. The initiative, led by Allen Smith, president and CEO of OneSpartanburg, was unveiled during a press conference on May 19, with plans to implement 577 infrastructure projects, including upgrades to roads and bridges, starting in May 2024.
The sales tax, often referred to as the “penny tax,” is projected to generate the necessary funds over the next six years without incurring any additional debt or increasing property tax rates. A notable aspect of the funding is that more than 30% of the expected tax revenue will be contributed by non-residents and visitors to the county, easing the financial burden on local residents.
The initiative is part of the county’s ongoing efforts to enhance road quality, which has already shown promising results. There has been a significant reduction in the percentage of poor roads, decreasing from 48% in 2020 to 31% in 2024. During the same period, the share of fair roads increased from 28% to 39%, while roads classified as good rose from 24% to 30%.
John Wade, the county’s traffic engineer, reported that two road projects – the resurfacing of Highway 290 and improvements on Daniel Morgan Avenue – have been successfully completed. Upcoming projects will include redesigning the intersection at Zion Hill and Sloan’s Grove roads, converting it from a four-way stop to a roundabout to improve both safety and traffic flow in the area. Additionally, plans are in place to replace aging bridges on Freys and Alverson Roads, further enhancing the overall infrastructure.
To keep residents informed, Spartanburg County will launch an interactive online map that allows individuals to track the progress of the ongoing road improvement projects. This transparency aims to engage the community actively with the enhancements being made to their local infrastructure.
In looking ahead, Spartanburg County Council Chairman Manning Lynch stated there are no immediate plans to seek new voter approval for an additional sales tax beyond the existing expiration date in May 2030. This ensures that the focus remains on efficiently utilizing the current funds raised through the penny tax.
In contrast to Spartanburg’s approach, neighboring Greenville County is facing challenges with road maintenance funding, notably after voters rejected a similar sales tax aimed at road repairs. This has led to discussions regarding the potential diversion of school funds to cover necessary roadwork, highlighting the varying approaches to infrastructure funding in the region.
Overall, Spartanburg County’s initiative reflects a commitment to improve infrastructure amid regional growth while ensuring fiscal responsibility. The implementation of the planned projects is poised to have a lasting positive impact on the community’s transportation network and overall quality of life.
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Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: Spartanburg Road Repairs Sales Tax
- Wikipedia: Road Infrastructure
- GoUpstate: Spartanburg County Road Improvement Projects
- Google Search: Spartanburg County Road Improvements
- Fox Carolina: Spartanburg County Road Improvement Website
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Transportation in the United States
- WSPA: Spartanburg County Bridge Construction
- Google News: Spartanburg Road Construction
- Greenville Journal: SCDOT Bridge Projects Inquiry
Author: STAFF HERE SPARTANBURG
The SPARTANBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESpartanburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Spartanburg International Festival, Spartanburg ArtWalk, and motorsport events at Spartanburg Speedway. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce and the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Foundation, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and textiles that power the local economy such as BMW Manufacturing and Milliken & Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
