Simpsonville City Council Approves Reopening of Hunter Street

Following years of local debate, the Simpsonville City Council voted on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, to move forward with the reopening of Hunter Street. The measure passed with a narrow 4–3 vote, reversing a closure that has been in place since late 2022.

Background and Timeline

Hunter Street, which runs behind the League Estates subdivision, was originally closed in November 2022 to address concerns regarding speeding and motorists using the residential road as a cut-through to avoid downtown traffic lights. While a 2023 proposal to reopen the road was heavily defeated, the recent vote sets a firm deadline for the street to be accessible to through-traffic once again by August 8, 2026.

Public Safety and Community Response

The council’s decision was met with mixed reactions from the community. Proponents of the reopening argued that the closure hindered emergency response times for police and fire services and impacted local mail delivery. However, many residents of League Estates spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting, expressing concern that reopening the road would compromise pedestrian safety and reintroduce heavy traffic to the neighborhood.

Residents from the nearby Poinsettia and Cedar Cove subdivisions also attended the meeting, with several speaking in favor of the reopening to help alleviate traffic congestion on surrounding routes.

Next Steps for Traffic Calming

As part of the approved measure, city staff has been tasked with conducting a comprehensive traffic study over the coming months. This study will evaluate potential issues arising from the reopening and propose specific traffic-calming measures, such as speed humps or additional signage. Any proposed safety installations must be brought back before the City Council for final approval before the August 8 reopening date.