Attention Rock Hill holiday shoppers: Here’s how to navigate new traffic patterns on Dave Lyle Boulevard

New traffic patterns on one of the city’s busiest roads during holiday shopping season could mean confusion for some drivers.

After months of construction over the summer, S.C. Department of Transportation work crews cleared the area around Dave Lyle Boulevard near Interstate 77 last month, unveiling a new traffic signal and turn lane in an effort to alleviate congestion and road hazards.

Previously, southbound drivers exiting the interstate had to quickly merge over three lanes of oncoming traffic without the help of a dedicated turn lane or traffic signal to facilitate right-hand turns onto Dave Lyle Boulevard.

Now, the traffic light at the end of the I-77 southbound exit ramp will assist drivers to make a protected, safer right-hand turn onto Dave Lyle Boulevard. Drivers intending to shop can then merge to the left – without the pressure of crossing oncoming traffic – to enter the shopping center for Target and Best Buy.

From the interstate, drivers going to Manchester Village shopping center (for Books-A-Million and neighboring stores) can merge right but will have to be on the lookout for other drivers exiting the interstate via the off ramp.

Signs will direct Target/Best Buy shoppers toward Chamberside Drive and Manchester Village (Books-A-Million) shoppers toward Tinsley Way.

Drivers exiting the interstate may still make a right-hand turn onto Dave Lyle Boulevard using the yield turn lane instead of the traffic signal. The yield-only traffic lane on the off ramp is intended for drivers who want to enter the Manchaster Village (Books-A-Million) shopping center or for drivers who want to use Dave Lyle Boulevard to head toward downtown Rock Hill.

The traffic signal at the end of the off ramp is intended for drivers who want to make a left-hand turn onto Dave Lyle Boulevard (to head toward the Galleria shopping area) or for those who want to make a right-hand turn onto Dave Lyle Boulevard (to head toward Target/Best Buy on Chamberside Drive).

A new concrete median separates the left-hand turn lanes on Dave Lyle Boulevard to facilitate drivers making turns onto Chamberside Drive. If drivers miss the new traffic signal and cannot turn right onto Chamberside Drive, the Target/Best Buy shopping center is also accessible by using the traffic signal at Springsteen Road – which is one intersection up from Chamberside Drive on Dave Lyle Boulevard.

This story was originally published November 25, 2015 at 11:47 AM with the headline "Attention Rock Hill holiday shoppers: Here’s how to navigate new traffic patterns on Dave Lyle Boulevard."