Greenville city leaders marked a milestone in infrastructure improvements last week as paving crews began work on Sampson Road in Ward 4, a project officials say is about more than asphalt — it’s about safety, accessibility and quality of life.
Standing along Sampson Road as equipment moved in, a city official emphasized the broader impact of the work.
“Quality roads is not a luxury, it’s a necessity,” Mayor Errick Simmons said. “It’s a necessity to make sure our kids get to school, making sure our emergency response time is increased. It’s to make sure folks can be able to get to the church house and they’re not riding on bumpy roads and potholes.”
The paving effort is part of a larger citywide initiative funded through a $1 million allocation in the city budget to address deteriorating streets across Greenville’s six wards. Leaders credited Ward 4 Councilwoman Lurrann Thomas-Kingdom, city engineering partners and public works crews for helping move the project forward.
“We could not have done it without our engineer, Mark Hooker, Hooker Engineering,” Mayor Simmons said. “We could not have done it without public work crews… and the leadership and vision of our councilwoman… who this budget put a million dollars in to pave roads and roads near you.”
Mayor Simmons added that crews have already worked across multiple wards and will continue rotating throughout the city.
“Today, we’re in Ward 4. Tomorrow, we could be knocking at your door,” Mayor Simmons said.
A Safer Route for Students
The improvements are especially meaningful for families connected to Weddington Elementary School, located near the newly paved stretch.
“Today is a great day here in Ward 4 for all the citizens in Greenville and the parents and students here at Weddington Elementary School,”Councilwoman Thomas-Kingdom said. “We’re getting the street paved. And this has been a long project, long time coming.”
School leaders say the condition of the road had posed daily challenges for students and families.
Principal Kristie James described the impact.
“Students that walk to school, so now they’re not wading in the water, they’re not jumping the potholes,” James said. “And parents and daycares that come pick up students, they’re not tearing up their vehicles. They can actually come down a smooth street and they’re able to get their students here without tearing up their vehicles, without worrying about letting them out on the side of the road and they’re falling into water.”
James, who said she has been at the school for only a short time, called the paving project a major accomplishment.
“We thank our Council woman in making sure that it’s done,” she said. “This is a great, great, great accomplishment — not just for Weddington Elementary, but for this community as a whole.”
Continuing the Progress
City officials encouraged residents to remain engaged and to share concerns about other streets needing attention.
“In the comments, put your street,” Mayor Simmons said. “If you’ve got some issues, put your street in the comments, and we hope to get to you soon.”
As paving crews continue their work across Greenville, leaders say the improvements reflect a broader commitment to investing in neighborhoods, improving safety and strengthening infrastructure for families citywide.
For Ward 4 residents — and especially the students walking to Weddington Elementary — the smoother ride is already making a difference.
