Groundbreaking ceremony held for BridgeWay Station development in Mauldin

MAULDIN, S.C. (WSPA) — The Upstate has seen rapid growth over the last several years, and with a groundbreaking on a massive project Thursday, Mauldin is hoping to continue that trend.

Spanning more than 3,000 feet along Interstate 385, the new BridgeWay Station project promises to bring new life to Mauldin.

“Residents, it’s retail, it’s restaurants, it’s entertainment, it’s institutional, outdoor events,” developer Phil Hughes said.

Hughes said the project is years in the making and is the hard work of many people.

“The cooperation by every level of government is unbelievable,” he said.

“It’s all happening so all of the groundwork has been laid for that 14, 15, 20 years even,” Mauldin Mayor Terry Merritt said.

Development like this has been a key platform for Merritt.

“So we’re glad to tie it together and now we’ve got the Swamp Rabbit Trail tied to the southern communities and we’re ready to go,” Merritt said.

He says a bridge spanning I-385 will connect this new development to the city center.

“We have a problem with the community south of here and the city of Mauldin spanning an interstate, what can be done,” Merritt said.

He hopes this connector will encourage people to explore all Mauldin has to offer. And lawmakers like Senator Lindsey Graham agree.

“If you had told me Mauldin would have been a destination ten years ago I wouldn’t believe it. But ten years from now it will be a destination,” Graham said.

And Governor Henry McMaster says it’s this type of project that’s shows growth across the state.

“When you have great people and you’re living in paradise as we are in South Carolina and you’re working together with a good vision you can get things done,” McMaster said.

The first phase of the project is expected to be completed by late 2022.