Over the next six months, Riggs Drive, Poole Lane and Martin Street will undergo construction for sidewalk and stormwater upgrades.
The city of Clemson will work with Dillard Construction to install sidewalks along two routes: from Strode Circle to Martin-Riggs Drive and from Riggs Drive to Wyatt-Martin Street.
There will be two different installers for the projects, with the majority of installations carried out by the city and a small portion installed by the developers of the 398 College Ave. project.
Stormwater installation was scheduled to begin in December 2025 and will continue through February 2026. Sidewalk installation is scheduled to begin in February 2026 and is expected to conclude in May 2026, with paving anticipated to be completed by summer 2026, as outlined at the 2025 Riggs Dr. Sidewalk community meeting.
Since 1998, discussions have been ongoing regarding the installation of sidewalks and speed humps. However, no action has been taken for over 20 years. In 2003, the residents raised concerns and discussed sidewalk placement. An initial design was then developed in 2013-2014 and presented to the Clemson City Council.
After almost 30 years, the project was approved in the city’s 2024 budget to begin construction, according to the Riggs Drive Sidewalk Project 2024.
City of Clemson leaders have created an extensive breakdown of what they are looking for by completing the project. The individuals include Nathan Hinkle, city engineer and project manager; Andy Blondeau, city administrator; Nathan Woods, director of planning and development; and Lindsey Newton, community engagement coordinator.
Four of the project’s goals are to enhance pedestrian and vehicular safety, improve stormwater drainage, increase walkability and enhance ADA accessibility.
The goals aim to highlight speed reduction, a discussion that has ignited concerns about the city’s ability to regulate speed, as well as runoff water issues related to stormwater. The city also aims to address other existing issues, including concerns with the four-way stop, overhead power lines, brush concerns and a sidewalk extension.
During the final design discussion, the city released two conceptual designs based on the results of a public questionnaire.
Concept A would reduce the street to a one-way street, add an 8-foot sidewalk and improve stormwater controls on the street and down Poole Lane.
Conversely, Concept B would feature a 5-foot sidewalk, a crosswalk at the top of the hill and improved stormwater controls on the lower North side of the street and down Poole Lane.
The city of Clemson noted that it is prepared for potential delays, including weather-related issues — specifically in the event of heavy rainfall — which may cause construction to take longer to complete.
The city also took to social media to highlight that after nearly 20 years, “this project marks a historic milestone as the first neighborhood” in Clemson to “successfully complete a sidewalk petition.”
The city is “proud to invest in and deliver on that vision, driven by your feedback for a safer, more walkable Clemson.”
