Getting Answers: HWY 585

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - We are working to get you answers about your Upstate road concerns.

Several viewers have written in about HWY 585 in Spartanburg County, where a detour has been in place for more than a year.

The detour navigates takes drivers around I-85 construction while crews are building three new bridges.

The detour takes drivers to exit 72 on I-85.

Cars pass through the busy intersection at Upper Valley Falls Road to 585 beside the Milliken plant.

Drivers tell us there’s more traffic than ever before and it’s damaging the road.

“It’s 10 times worse,” Boiling Springs resident, Milton Drummond said.

Between 18,000 and 21,000 cars hit I-585, between Upper Valley Falls Road and Business 85 daily.

“Getting on the Business 85 exit, usually the turning lanes are backed up significantly,” Drummond said, “Getting on and off of that intersection is a pain and a lot of potholes on that road.”

Drummond said the extra traffic is causing potholes and crumbling pavement. “A lot of congestion, especially with the bridge being out and all the traffic being rerouted around the corner.”

Austin writes in and tells us, “The road is missing layers in several places. Some spots in the road have holes as deep as 6 inches. The road is so loud you think you have a flat tire.”

The 585 detour will be in place for several more months, with construction on Business 85 set to wrap in October.

Drivers tell us the road is overdue for repairs.

“They need to reroute traffic that divides or splits the traffic so it’s not such a pain on everybody,” Drummond said.

The South Carolina Department of Transportation has no plans to fix 585 yet, but it could happen in the next two years.

SCDOT said crews are considering this road for the 2025 Pavement Improvement Program.

Submit your road and bridge concerns here.

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