Jim Fair
Funding for sidewalks has been approved for both sides of Hammett Bridge Road connecting Riverside High School and Middle School.
Funding for the project is provided $235,000 through the Greenville-Pickens Area Transportation Study and $15,000 from the City of Greer. The project is scheduled in 2017.
City Councilwoman Judy Albert steered the drive to get connecting sidewalks to the schools for students. City Administrator Ed Driggers reported to City Council the grant was approved Jan. 28. Council, in a rare move, applauded Albert for her drive to see the project through.
Albert had received Council approval to guarantee $15,000 and no more than 20 percent of the costs when she met with GPATS to make the final presentation. "I wanted to go in with a dollar amount at that meeting to show we were willing to contribute funds," Albert said.
“I would see students at the corner and they would ask, ‘Are we getting sidewalks Mrs. Albert?’ I am happy for the students,” Albert said.
The sidewalks will aid residents from the Riverside Chase Community, at Fawnbrook Drive and Hammett Bridge Road. It will also allow for students to walk more safely to the schools.
Riverside athletes also use Hammett Bridge for long distance training and run out of sidewalk between RHS and Riverside Chase.
Hammett Bridge Road and Suber Drive is a virtual logjam in the morning with less than 10 percent of the students arriving by car or bus, according to RHS officials.
With Lowes Foods scheduled to open its grocery store late this year, at the corner of Hammett Bridge Road and Suber Road, it will add to the traffic congestion. Lowes has already constructed sidewalks the length of its store's property on each road.
The Lowes sidewalks feature curbs and gutters to allow storm water leaving the roads. Albert said she is unsure what the city will decide for Hammett Bridge Road.