Statement on Hunter Street Closure

Hunter Street permanently closed due to safety concerns

Council votes down motion to reopen street in committee meeting

(Release: Jan. 24, 2023)

Simpsonville, S.C. — Hunter Street will remain permanently closed to ensure the safety of residents after Simpsonville City Council voted down a motion to reopen the street at a Committee of the Whole meeting.

A motion to reopen Hunter Street with increased police presence and speed bumps failed in a 5-1 vote Tuesday night. Approval of the motion would have advanced it to the February business meeting for final consideration by City Council.

An extensive discussion of the street closure by Council preceded Tuesday’s vote.

Simpsonville Community Relations Specialist Justin Campbell said Hunter Street was placed on the meeting agenda because Council values input from constituents.

“Council listened to feedback from residents and vowed to address Hunter Street at the first Committee of the Whole meeting after the street closing,” Campbell said. "All of Council is committed to engaging with the community. The City vows to continue to improve upon efforts to reach out to residents about important issues.”

After public hearings on plans for downtown improvements, Council voted unanimously in 2022 to approve a traffic realignment plan that includes the closure of Hunter Street. Inclusion of the Hunter Street closure is based on the significant safety concern presented by the high volume of traffic that uses Pliney Circle and Hunter Street to travel between North East Main Street and Jonesville Road.

Data collected in 6-day periods before and after the street closing showed the number of vehicles that traveled from Main Street to Hunter Street via South Pliney Street dropped from 4,900 vehicles before the closure to 984 vehicles after the closure. During the same periods, traffic volume from Jonesville Road to South Pliney Street via Hunter Street dropped from 6,250 vehicles before the closure to 942 vehicles after the closure.

“The safety of residents remains the top priority for the City of Simpsonville, which is why Council and staff have continued to engage with residents on Hunter Street,” Campbell said. “The City plans to improve traffic flow with its approved traffic realignment plan to encourage residents and visitors not to fly down Main Street but to flock downtown.”

For more information, contact Justin Lee Campbell, community relations specialist, at jcampbell@simpsonville.com.