Greenville Bridge Replacement Project Delayed Until 2025

Greenville – A $3.7 million bridge replacement project near Unity Park has been delayed until August 2025 due to complications with right-of-way acquisitions. The decision comes as city officials navigate land purchases necessary for the project’s progression.

The Greenville City Council recently convened on July 14 to address the bridge delay and highlighted the need for new right-of-way and temporary easements affecting five city-owned properties along South Hudson Street. The council has given preliminary approval for the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) offers which total $241,976 for these right-of-ways.

The bridge replacement project is necessitated by significant damage inflicted on the original Hudson Street Bridge during Hurricane Helene, a tropical storm that occurred in September 2024, resulting in seven fatalities in the Upstate region. This bridge serves as a critical connector for the Southernside community, Unity Park, and A.J. Whittenberg Elementary School.

The new bridge design will incorporate wider lanes and sidewalks, enhancing the safety and accessibility for all users. The planned construction duration is approximately eight months, during which the existing structure will be demolished as part of the replacement process.

In addition to the Hudson Street project, various other SCDOT initiatives are underway in response to storm damage in the region. Notably, the US 76 bridge over the Chauga River in Oconee County has been successfully completed and opened to traffic in June 2025. Other projects completed include the US 278 bridge over Beaverdam Creek in Jasper County, while several bridges in Greenville and Greenwood Counties are on track for completion by fall 2025. These include the Dill Road bridge over the Middle Tyger River and Townsend Road over Townsend Creek. The West Washington Street bridge over the Reedy River in Greenville County is projected to be finished by spring 2026. Furthermore, the New Cut Road bridge in Spartanburg County and the Park Access Road bridge in Jones Gap State Park in Greenville County are also expected to be completed by fall 2025.

The recent Greenville City Council meeting also saw the appropriation of $404,791 in opioid grant funding for the Greenville City Fire Department’s Opioid Response Team aimed at combating the opioid epidemic through outreach and educational initiatives. This funding is sourced from the city’s portion of opioid-related litigation settlement money. Additionally, there was approval for $113,816 to support conservation programs outlined in the Greenville Zoo’s conservation plan, financed through the zoo’s conservation fund.

Lastly, the Greenville officials advanced a proposal to acquire sections of local streets from SCDOT to align with city street and urban design standards, with a resolution passed in support of this request. In matters regarding public safety, the Greenville Police Chief reported a 16% decrease in overall crime compared to the same period in 2024, highlighting a reduction in both violent and property crime statistics. The Police Department has also introduced a survey tool to gauge community feedback on police interactions, achieving a 91% positive feedback rate from over 500 responses gathered since its launch in April.