Railroad Avenue, located in the City of York, South Carolina, is one of York’s busiest interior roads and, for years, one of the most dangerous for people on foot. Despite a high average traffic volume of 2,600 vehicles daily, residents had no safe way to walk to nearby businesses, services, or recreation opportunities.
The lack of pedestrian infrastructure had serious consequences. In recent years, two pedestrians lost their lives on Railroad Avenue, including one in 2015 and another in 2021. Local officials confirmed that both fatalities occurred near housing complexes, underscoring the urgent need for safer connections in the area.
To address this need, the city, with assistance from Catawba Regional Council of Governments, completed a sidewalk improvement project along a portion of Railroad Avenue from Settlemyre Place to East Jefferson Street. The project was designed to improve both pedestrian safety and neighborhood connectivity, especially for residents who do not always have access to a vehicle.
Improvements included grading and site preparation, followed by construction of 5-foot-wide concrete sidewalk. Additionally, the project added accessible ramps with warning domes and thermoplastic crosswalks. Engineering, easement acquisition, and project administration were also part of the work.
With these improvements now in place, residents have a safer route to walk along Railroad Avenue instead of traveling on the roadway. The project benefits 1,295 York residents, including 895 low- and moderate-income residents, representing 69% of those served.
The total project cost was approximately $350,000, including construction, engineering, acquisition, and administration. Funding was provided through the South Carolina Community Development Block Grant Small Cities program and City of York funds.
