South Carolina Highway 72

South Carolina Highway 72 (SC 72) is a 124.860-mile (200.943 km) state highway, traversing interior portions of the South Carolina Piedmont region. This route is part of a multi two-state route 72 that begins at Athens, Georgia and ends at Rock Hill, South Carolina. The route connects many smaller communities outside major metropolitan areas and is roughly parallel with Interstate 85 (I-85) to the north and I-20 and I-77 to the south and east. The route shares the longest concurrency in the state with SC 121, from Whitmire to Rock Hill.

South Carolina Highway 72 marker

South Carolina Highway 72

Route information
Maintained by SCDOT
Length124.860 mi[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] (200.943 km)
Existed1942[citation needed]–present
Major junctions
West end SR 72 at the Georgia line near Calhoun Falls
Major intersections
East end SC 122 in Rock Hill
Location
CountryUnited States
StateSouth Carolina
CountiesAbbeville, Greenwood, Laurens, Newberry, Union, Chester, York
Highway system
SC 71 SC 75

Route description edit

 
Monument to the Battle of Fishdam Ford, located on the east bank of the Broad River
 
Sign denoting SC 72, located near Calhoun Falls

The route travels across the state in a southwest to northeast direction, and is sometimes referenced[according to whom?] as an unofficial border between the Midlands and the Upstate regions. Beginning at the Georgia state line on a bridge over Lake Russell (where it is the continuation of SR 72) SC 72 goes through the town of Calhoun Falls and goes through rural areas of Abbeville County before skirting the county seat of Abbeville on a bypass route. The route serves as the major thoroughfare for traffic between Abbeville and Greenwood, where it bypasses the downtown area to the north.[8]

Leaving Greenwood, the route heads towards Clinton where it intersects with I-26. Passing the interstate, the route enters into the Sumter National Forest and passes through the small town of Whitmire. From Whitmire until just shy of its eastern terminus, SC 72 is cosigned with SC 121. The route exits the Sumter National Forest and bypasses Chester to the south. Once past Chester, the route turns more towards the north as it enters Rock Hill, where it terminates at SC 122 in the downtown area.[8]

History edit

SC 72 had two previous stents in the state before settling in its current role. The first SC 72 was established in 1925 or 1926 as a new primary routing, from SC 7 at the Saluda River, north to SC 10 in Waterloo. In 1932, this routing became part of U.S. Route 221 (US 221).

The second SC 72 appeared in 1940 as a new primary routing from SC 7, near the Broad River, to Leeds. In 1942, it was renumbered as SC 722; though was later downgraded in 1948 to secondary Leeds Road (S-12-25).[9]

The third, and current, SC 72 was established in 1942 as a renumbering of SC 7; it traversed from the Georgia state line, near Calhoun Falls, to US 21 in Chester. In 1950, it was extended northeast to US 21/SC 5 in Rock Hill, which replaced part of US 21. In 1951 or 1952, its routing was adjusted west of Greenwood replacing SC 702 and leaving Old Abbeville Highway (S-1-3 and S-24-1).[10][11][12][13]

In 1954, SC 72 was placed on bypass south and east around Chester; its old alignment became a business route.[9][14] Also same year, SC 72 was moved south of Abbeville leaving behind Vienna Street (S-1-1) and Cambridge Street/Old Abbeville Highway (S-1-133).[10][11] In 1961, SC 72 was placed on new bypass north around Greenwood; its old alignment became a business route.[13][15] Sometime between 1990 and 1996, SC 72 was placed on a bypass south and east around Clinton; its old alignment became a business route.[16][17] In 2013, SC 72's eastern terminus was adjusted to end at the western terminus of SC 122 on Johnston Street; part of a major removal of highways through downtown Rock Hill.[18][19][20][21]

South Carolina Highway 7 edit

Whitmire alternate route edit

 

 

South Carolina Highway 7 Alternate

LocationWhitmire, South Carolina
Existed1940–1942

South Carolina Highway 7 Alternate (SC 7 Alt.) was a short alternate route of the original SC 7 (which became SC 72). In 1940, it was established from U.S. Route 176 (US 176) and SC 7 (now SC 72/SC 121) northeast of Whitmire. In 1942, it was decommissioned and redesignated as SC 72 Alt.

Major intersections edit

CountyLocationmi[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]kmDestinationsNotes
Abbeville0.0000.000 
 
SR 72 west – Elberton
Continuation From Georgia
Calhoun Falls3.0504.908  SC 81 (Calhoun Street) – Mount Carmel, McCormick, Lowndesville
14.27022.965 
 
SC 823 south (Mount Carmel Road) – Mount Carmel
Northern terminus of SC 823
15.90025.589 
 
 
  
 
 
SC 20 Truck north / SC 28 / SC 71 Truck north – McCormick, Anderson
Western end of SC 20 Truck/SC 71 Truck concurrency
Abbeville17.86028.743 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SC 203 Truck north (North Main Street) / SC 20 Truck ends / SC 71 Truck ends to SC 20 – Due West, Anderson
Eastern end of SC 20 Truck/SC 71 Truck concurrency; southern terminus of SC 20 Truck, SC 71 Truck, and SC 203 Truck
GreenwoodGreenwood27.59044.402 
 
 
SC 72 Bus. east (Cambridge Avenue) – Greenwood
Western terminus of SC 72 Bus.
28.50045.866 
 
Calhoun Road to SC 225
30.00048.280 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
US 25 north / US 178 west / US 25 Bus. south / US 178 Bus. east – Greenwood, Anderson, Greenville
Western end of US 25/US 178 concurrency; northern terminus of US 25 Bus.; western terminus of US 178 Bus.
30.64049.310  SC 254 (Cokesbury Road) – Cokesbury
32.16051.757 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
US 25 south / US 178 east / US 221 south / SC 72 Bus. west – Greenwood, Edgefield, McCormick
Eastern end of US 25/US 178 concurrency; western end of US 221 concurrency; eastern terminus of SC 72 Bus.
Coronaca37.09059.691  SC 246 – Hodges, Ninety Six
Laurens40.45065.098 
 
US 221 north (Greenwood Highway) – Laurens
Eastern end of US 221 concurrency
Cross Hill44.53071.664  SC 39 (Main Street) – Saluda, Laurens
Clinton56.33090.654 
 
SC 72 Bus. (Broad Street)
56.66091.185 
 
 
 
 
SC 56 west / SC 56 Bus. east (Jacobs Highway) – Saluda
Western end of SC 56 concurrency; western terminus of SC 56 Bus.
58.06093.439  US 76 (Carolina Avenue) – Newberry
59.76096.174 
 
 
 
 
SC 56 east / SC 72 Bus. west – Cross Anchor
Eastern end of SC 56 concurrency; eastern terminus of SC 72 Bus.
60.915–
60.920
98.033–
98.041
  I-26 – Columbia, SpartanburgI-26 exit 54
NewberryWhitmire75.650121.747 
 
SC 66 west (Glenn Street) – Joanna
Eastern terminus of SC 66
75.680121.795 
 
 
 
 
 
Church Street east (US 176 Conn. east) to US 176 east / SC 121 south – Newberry, Columbia
Western terminus of US 176 Conn., which takes on the Church Street name; SC 72 turns left off of Church Street and onto Union Street.
76.040122.375 
 
 
 
US 176 east / SC 121 south (Watson Street) – Newberry, Columbia, Augusta
Western end of US 176 and SC 121 concurrencies
Enoree River76.063–
76.527
122.412–
123.158
Senator Marvin E. Abrams Bridge
Union77.570124.837 
 
US 176 north – Union
Eastern end of US 176 concurrency
77.780125.175 
 
 
 
 
 
SC 72 Conn. west to US 176 west – Union
Eastern terminus of SC 72 Conn.
Carlisle86.760139.627 
 
SC 215 north (King Kennedy Street) – Santuc, Union
Western end of SC 215 concurrency
Chester90.690145.951 
 
SC 215 south (Fairfield Road) – Monticello, Columbia
Eastern end of SC 215 concurrency
Chester103.180166.052 
 
 
 
US 321 north / SC 9 north (J.A. Cochran Bypass) / West End Street north – Chester, Lockhart
Western end of US 321 and SC 9 concurrencies; southern terminus of West End Street
105.020169.013 
 
 
 
 
 
 
US 321 south / SC 97 south / US 321 Bus. north (Columbia Street) – Winnsboro, Great Falls
Eastern end of US 321 concurrency; western end of SC 97 concurrency; southern terminus of US 321 Bus.
106.240170.977 
 
 
 
 
SC 9 south / SC 9 Bus. north (Lancaster Highway) – Lancaster, Chester
Eastern end of SC 9 concurrency; southern terminus of SC 9 Bus.
107.260172.618 
 
SC 97 north (J.A. Cochran Bypass) / Saluda Road south – Chester, Hickory Grove
Eastern end of SC 97 concurrency
Lewis112.480181.019 
 
SC 909 east (Rodman Road)
Western end of SC 909 concurrency
112.580181.180 
 
SC 909 west (Aaron Burr Road)
Eastern end of SC 909 concurrency
York119.150191.753 
 
SC 324 west – York
Eastern terminus of SC 324
Rock Hill123.230198.319 
 
 
 
SC 121 north (Albright Road) / SC 901 south (Mount Holly Road) – Charlotte, Edgemoor
Eastern end of SC 121 concurrency; western end of SC 901 concurrency
123.530198.802  
 
SC 5 / SC 901 north (Heckle Boulevard) – Newport
Eastern end of SC 901 concurrency
124.860200.943 
 
SC 122 east (Johnston Street) / Saluda Street
Eastern terminus of SC 72; western terminus of SC 122
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

Special routes edit

Greenwood business loop edit

 

 

South Carolina Highway 72 Business

LocationGreenwood, South Carolina
Length4.310 mi[22] (6.936 km)
Existed1961–present

South Carolina Highway 72 Business (SC 72 Bus.) is a 4.310-mile (6.936 km) business route that is partially in the city limits of Greenwood. It follows the original path of the SC 72 mainline through downtown Greenwood, via Cambridge Avenue, Grace Street, and Reynolds Avenue. It was established in 1961 when mainline SC 72 was bypassed north of the city.[citation needed]

Clinton business loop edit

 

 

South Carolina Highway 72 Business

LocationClinton, South Carolina
Length3.310 mi[23] (5.327 km)

South Carolina Highway 72 Business (SC 72 Bus.) is a 3.310-mile (5.327 km) business route entirely within the city limits of Clinton. It follows the original path of the SC 72 mainline route that used to traverse through downtown Clinton, via Broad Street and Willard Road. The highway passes by the main entrance of Presbyterian College. It also shares a concurrency with SC 56 Bus. for the majority of its path.

Whitmire alternate route edit

 

 

South Carolina Highway 72 Alternate

LocationWhitmire, South Carolina
Existed1942–1947

South Carolina Highway 72 Alternate (SC 72 Alt.) was an alternate route that was a renumbering of SC 7 Alt. northeast of Whitmire. It was established in 1942 from U.S. Route 176 to SC 72. In 1947, it was decommissioned and redesignated as SC 72 Connector (SC 72 Conn.).

Whitmire connector route edit

 

 

South Carolina Highway 72 Connector

LocationWhitmire, South Carolina
Length0.150 mi[24] (241 m)

South Carolina Highway 72 Connector (SC 72 Conn.) is a connector route of SC 72 that exists northeast of Whitmire. It serves to connect U.S. Route 176 (US 176) with SC 72/SC 121.[25] It is unnamed and is an unsigned highway.

Chester business loop edit

 

 

South Carolina Highway 72 Business

LocationChester, South Carolina
Length2.6 mi[26] (4.2 km)
Existed1954–N/A

South Carolina Highway 72 Business (SC 72 Bus.) was established in 1954 when mainline SC 72 was bypassed to the south and east of Chester. It followed the original mainline route through downtown Chester, via West End Street, Main Street, and Saluda Street/Road. In 1964, SC 121 Bus. was established and completely overlapped SC 72 Bus. It is unknown when the business loop was decommissioned.

Rock Hill business spur edit

 

 

South Carolina Highway 72 Business

LocationRock Hill, South Carolina
Length1.8 mi[27] (2.9 km)
Existed1950–N/A

South Carolina Highway 72 Business (SC 72 Bus.) was established in 1950 as a business spur into downtown Rock Hill, via Saluda Street, from mainline SC 72, which continued east to terminate at US 21/SC 5 (Anderson Road). Though never originally part of mainline SC 72, it was eventually replaced by the mainline at an unknown date.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Highway Logmile Report". South Carolina Department of Transportation. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Highway Logmile Report". South Carolina Department of Transportation. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Highway Logmile Report". South Carolina Department of Transportation. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  4. ^ a b "Highway Logmile Report". South Carolina Department of Transportation. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Highway Logmile Report". South Carolina Department of Transportation. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  6. ^ a b "Highway Logmile Report". South Carolina Department of Transportation. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  7. ^ a b "Highway Logmile Report". South Carolina Department of Transportation. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  8. ^ a b Google (April 8, 2014). "South Carolina Highway 72" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  9. ^ a b General Highway Map, Chester County, South Carolina (PDF) (Map). Cartography by SCDOT. South Carolina Department of Transportation. 1942. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  10. ^ a b General Highway Map, Abbeville County, South Carolina (PDF) (Map). Cartography by SCDOT. South Carolina Department of Transportation. 1940. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  11. ^ a b General Highway Map, Abbeville County, South Carolina (PDF) (Map). Cartography by SCDOT. South Carolina Department of Transportation. 1958. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  12. ^ General Highway Map, Greenwood County, South Carolina (PDF) (Map). Cartography by SCDOT. South Carolina Department of Transportation. 1940. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  13. ^ a b General Highway Map, Greenwood County, South Carolina (PDF) (Map). Cartography by SCDOT. South Carolina Department of Transportation. 1950. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  14. ^ General Highway Map, Chester County, South Carolina (PDF) (Map). Cartography by SCDOT. South Carolina Department of Transportation. 1954. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  15. ^ General Highway Map, Greenwood County, South Carolina (PDF) (Map). Cartography by SCDOT. South Carolina Department of Transportation. 1963. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  16. ^ General Highway Map, Laurens County, South Carolina (PDF) (Map). Cartography by SCDOT. South Carolina Department of Transportation. 1987. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  17. ^ General Highway Map, Laurens County, South Carolina (PDF) (Map). Cartography by SCDOT. South Carolina Department of Transportation. 1996. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  18. ^ General Highway Map, York County, South Carolina (PDF) (Map). Cartography by SCDOT. South Carolina Department of Transportation. 1996. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  19. ^ "Binder-all applications May 2013" (PDF). AASHTO. May 2013. p. 301. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
  20. ^ "Report to SCOH from USRN SM2013 May 3" (PDF). AASHTO. May 3, 2013. p. 8. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
  21. ^ Rock Hill Urban Area, York County (PDF) (Map). South Carolina Department of Transportation. October 2013. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  22. ^ "Highway Logmile Report". South Carolina Department of Transportation. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  23. ^ "Highway Logmile Report". South Carolina Department of Transportation. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  24. ^ "Highway Logmile Report". South Carolina Department of Transportation. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
  25. ^ Google (December 21, 2020). "Overview map of SC 72 Conn. (Whitmire)" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
  26. ^ Google (September 1, 2013). "Overview map of SC 72 Bus. (Chester)" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  27. ^ Google (September 1, 2013). "Overview map of SC 72 Bus. (Rock Hill)" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved September 1, 2013.

External links edit

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