Train traffic through Fort Mill to double

Train traffic in Fort Mill will increase as Norfolk Southern Railroad reroutes trains because of flood-damaged rails.

October’s historic flooding in key areas across the state has disabled miles of rail lines. The main lines and several bridges between Columbia and Spartanburg have been badly damaged, according to railroad officials. Norfolk Southern Railroad is rerouting BMW shipments from the Spartanburg plant to the port of Charleston through Fort Mill and Charlotte.

The rerouting is expected to at least double the train traffic through Fort Mill, meaning more delays for drivers. Town leaders are asking for everyone’s patience as the potential for traffic delays increases.

“The reroute is absolutely necessary for those businesses and those areas in the Columbia and lower part of the state that were affected by the floods,” Town Councilwoman Guynn Savage said.

Councilman Tom Adams said people in Fort Mill are fortunate if traffic delays are the worst impact they experience from South Carolina’s historic flooding.

“It may cost some small inconvenience, but compared to what they’re going through in Columbia I think that we’re getting off pretty decent,” he said.

Savage and Adams are running in November’s election to succeed Fort Mill Mayor Danny Funderburk, whose term expires at the end of the year.

Norfolk Southern estimated service could be affected for up to three weeks. Most other key routes throughout the state have been restored, according to railroad officials.

This story was originally published October 16, 2015 at 10:46 AM with the headline "Train traffic through Fort Mill to double."