Construction Wraps Up on Celanese Intersection: What’s Next for Rock Hill’s Busiest Corridor?
ROCK HILL, S.C. — After years of delays and traffic headaches, construction on the Celanese and India Hook Road intersection has finally been completed, allowing drivers to travel through the busy corridor without the constant congestion that has plagued the area since work began.
A Major Relief for Commuters
The Celanese corridor is one of Rock Hill’s most heavily traveled routes, connecting neighborhoods directly to Interstate 77 and serving as a main artery for commuters traveling toward Charlotte and Columbia. For years, the presence of road crews and traffic cones at the India Hook intersection caused long backups and daily frustration for thousands of drivers.
“It feels strange to drive through without the cones and backups — like I forgot something,” one Rock Hill commuter said after the project officially opened.
Now, with the work completed, many residents say they’re finally experiencing smoother traffic flow and faster access to I-77.
Local Businesses See New Opportunities
The intersection is lined with a mix of retailers and small businesses, including JKH Cabinets on the southeast corner. For years, shop owners expressed concern that construction cut off customers, discouraged foot traffic, and hurt visibility from the road.
With lanes now clear and traffic signals functioning normally, business leaders hope the improvements will make it easier for drivers to stop in, which could help boost local sales.
According to the South Carolina Department of Transportation, the project aimed not only to fix traffic flow but also to improve safety for both drivers and pedestrians.
What Comes Next for Celanese Road?
While residents are celebrating the project’s completion, city leaders acknowledge that long-term planning for Celanese is far from over. The corridor has a reputation as one of Rock Hill’s busiest thoroughfares, and with the area’s rapid growth, traffic is only expected to intensify in the coming years.
Officials have already hinted at the possibility of future widening projects, added turn lanes, and further signal upgrades to ensure Celanese keeps pace with the city’s development.
“This corridor is critical to Rock Hill’s future growth, and we need to think ahead,” one transportation official said at a recent planning session.
Growth Pressure in York County
York County has experienced significant expansion in housing, retail, and schools over the past decade. That growth has placed extra pressure on roads like Celanese, where even small traffic disruptions ripple across the city.
City planners are now tasked with balancing infrastructure improvements against rising demand, ensuring Rock Hill’s roadways don’t become overwhelmed by the region’s booming population.
Residents React to the End of Construction
For many residents, the sense of relief is clear. Online forums filled with comments from drivers expressing joy that the long delays were finally over. Still, others remained skeptical.
“It looks great now, but we all know it won’t be long before the traffic is just as bad,” one commenter wrote on a Rock Hill neighborhood page.
City officials maintain that while traffic may increase, long-term infrastructure investments will be crucial to keeping Rock Hill moving.
Do you think Rock Hill should prioritize widening Celanese Road before congestion builds again, or focus on developing alternative routes to ease traffic? Share your thoughts at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
