SC: I-95 widening projects

[webny99]

What is the current status of the I-95 widening in SC (and I-26 for that matter)?

[wriddle082]

What is the current status of the I-95 widening in SC (and I-26 for that matter)?

They just broke ground and started widening I-95 from the GA line to Exit 8 earlier this year, including the Savannah River bridge.

I-26 widening is in the finishing stages between Exits 85 and 101 northwest of Columbia.  All of the lanes are open, but they're fixing minor concrete issues and have to fix some pavement transition issues NW of Exit 85 where the third lane begins/ends (but some of that might be included in the resurfacing project currently in progress from Exit 75 to the beginning of the widening).

They're also actively working between Exits 125 and 136 southeast of Columbia (probably close to 50% done now), and I think they're finishing up some widening work from Exit 187 down to either the Volvo exit or Exit 194 (wherever the six lane formerly ended).

And finally, the I-26/95 interchange modification project began earlier this year.  The cloverleaf is being converted to a cloverstack, with flyovers for the 95N to 26W and 95S to 26E movements.

I feel like the next course of action along I-26 will be to start to fill in the middle of the stretch, from roughly Orangeburg or Bowman to I-95, and then there will be two gaps at either end to fill in.  SCDOT's website is abysmal and it's difficult to find up to date info about their STIP or future plans.

[webny99]

I-26 widening is in the finishing stages between Exits 85 and 101 northwest of Columbia.  All of the lanes are open, but they're fixing minor concrete issues and have to fix some pavement transition issues NW of Exit 85 where the third lane begins/ends (but some of that might be included in the resurfacing project currently in progress from Exit 75 to the beginning of the widening).

Yeah, this section definitely looks a little funky. I wasn't even aware there was a widening project northwest of Columbia. From previous discussion it seemed like Columbia-Charleston was the focus, and that seems to be progressing in tandem which is great to hear. Are there plans to extend six lanes up to I-385? That seems like the logical endpoint if widening is to be continued heading northwest.

[wriddle082]

I-26 widening is in the finishing stages between Exits 85 and 101 northwest of Columbia.  All of the lanes are open, but they're fixing minor concrete issues and have to fix some pavement transition issues NW of Exit 85 where the third lane begins/ends (but some of that might be included in the resurfacing project currently in progress from Exit 75 to the beginning of the widening).

Yeah, this section definitely looks a little funky. I wasn't even aware there was a widening project northwest of Columbia. From previous discussion it seemed like Columbia-Charleston was the focus, and that seems to be progressing in tandem which is great to hear. Are there plans to extend six lanes up to I-385? That seems like the logical endpoint if widening is to be continued heading northwest.

Before the widening even started, the pavement between Exits 75 and 101 was in desperate need of reconstruction, so they very thoroughly widened it starting at Exit 85 with full depth reconstruction with new concrete, completely new interchanges, and fixed most of the sight line issues from the original late 50's design (this may have been a design/build project).  Even though they're not actively widening it up to Exit 75, the pavement was still bad enough that it's being addressed now.  Overall I'd say they will eventually take the widening northwest to the I-385 split, but it may be after they finish it up towards Charleston, and after "Carolina Crossroads" is finished (the rebuild of 20/26/126 Malfunction Junction and 8-lane widening of I-26 up to Exit 101).  Governor McMaster "ordered" that I-26 between Columbia and Charleston be widened ASAP.

And I just remembered that they also announced earlier this year the intention to widen I-26 in the Spartanburg area from Exit 15 to either Exit 22 or Exit 28, but I have no idea when they plan to start.

[Ted$8roadFan]

Good to see SC making progress on improving its highways.

[D-Dey65]

What is the current status of the I-95 widening in SC (and I-26 for that matter)?

They just broke ground and started widening I-95 from the GA line to Exit 8 earlier this year, including the Savannah River bridge.

Are the exact plans for the widening available online? I still don't know how they're going to fix Exit 5 or if they plan to integrate the welcome center into the interchange.

[wriddle082]

What is the current status of the I-95 widening in SC (and I-26 for that matter)?

They just broke ground and started widening I-95 from the GA line to Exit 8 earlier this year, including the Savannah River bridge.

Are the exact plans for the widening available online? I still don't know how they're going to fix Exit 5 or if they plan to integrate the welcome center into the interchange.

Yeah they're pretty close to one another.  A collector/distributor ramp may be in order here.  They have similar situation where I-85 enters SC from GA.

[epzik8]

Good to see SC making progress on improving its highways.

They must have seen what's going on in NC and decided to step it up

[sprjus4]

What is the current status of the I-95 widening in SC (and I-26 for that matter)?

They just broke ground and started widening I-95 from the GA line to Exit 8 earlier this year, including the Savannah River bridge.

Are the exact plans for the widening available online? I still don't know how they're going to fix Exit 5 or if they plan to integrate the welcome center into the interchange.

https://www.scdoti95widening.com/vpim
https://www.scdoti95widening.com/s/I-95_MM-0-8_Overall-PIM-exhibit-for-website22-8-17.pdf

Looks like a simple auxiliary lane.

[roadman65]

What is the current status of the I-95 widening in SC (and I-26 for that matter)?

They just broke ground and started widening I-95 from the GA line to Exit 8 earlier this year, including the Savannah River bridge.

Are the exact plans for the widening available online? I still don't know how they're going to fix Exit 5 or if they plan to integrate the welcome center into the interchange.

https://www.scdoti95widening.com/vpim
https://www.scdoti95widening.com/s/I-95_MM-0-8_Overall-PIM-exhibit-for-website22-8-17.pdf

Looks like a simple auxiliary lane.

All its doing is moving the choke point from the Savannah River to US 278.   It needs to be six lanes up to Exit 33 at least.  However, this is a feat that they got this far the way SCDOT moves at road widening projects.

On social media many non road geeks seem to believe the state chooses I-26 over all the states interstates to widen.  Don't know if its ignorance or the fact I-26 serves three of the state's major metro areas that it gets all the attention.

[Ted$8roadFan]

We should take the W. South Carolina is well behind the curve, so to speak, but they are making progress. Of course many South Carolinians would be more concerned with widening I-26 since it does pass through its main cities, or even I-85 since it passes through the state's growth corridor.

[sprjus4]

All it's doing is moving the choke point from the Savannah River to US 278.   It needs to be six lanes up to Exit 33 at least.  However, this is a feat that they got this far the way SCDOT moves at road widening projects.

The project extends between MM 1 and MM 33. The portion from the Savannah River to US-278 is one of the three phases.

https://www.fixthedrive95.com/projectlist

MM 1-8: Summer 2025 - Fall 2030
MM 8-21: Fall 2027 - Fall 2031
MM 21-33: Summer 2028 - Fall 2032

Looking at the schematics, one thing interesting of note: with the exception of the SC-46 overpass in the first phase, all of the mainline bridges will be designed for 8 lanes. They're taking a page out of Georgia's book.

It also looks like the left shoulder will actually be 10-12 ft wide throughout. While is typically the standard on six lane interstate highways, SCDOT has seemingly no issue with 4 ft shoulders (that can feel quite tight especially with Jersey barrier wall) evident by recently widened portions of I-85 and I-26.

On social media many non road geeks seem to believe the state chooses I-26 over all the states interstates to widen.  Don't know if its ignorance or the fact I-26 serves three of the state's major metro areas that it gets all the attention.

Also I-85. It is mostly six lanes through the entire state now.

[Beltway]

All its doing is moving the choke point from the Savannah River to US 278.  It needs to be six lanes up to Exit 33 at least.  However, this is a feat that they got this far the way SCDOT moves at road widening projects.

10 less miles of congested I-95 highway -- especially at the Savannah River bridge.
10 more miles of rebuilt/modern I-95 highway "on the ground."

A win-win in my book.

[roadman65]

All its doing is moving the choke point from the Savannah River to US 278.  It needs to be six lanes up to Exit 33 at least.  However, this is a feat that they got this far the way SCDOT moves at road widening projects.

10 less miles of congested I-95 highway -- especially at the Savannah River bridge.
10 more miles of rebuilt/modern I-95 highway "on the ground."

A win-win in my book.

Anytime they move is a win.

Next they need to  rebuild the Lake Marion Bridge.

[PColumbus73]

US 278 is the main exit to Hilton Head Island, so having the lane drop there, at least temporarily won't be as bad as we think.

[D-Dey65]

What is the current status of the I-95 widening in SC (and I-26 for that matter)?

They just broke ground and started widening I-95 from the GA line to Exit 8 earlier this year, including the Savannah River bridge.

Are the exact plans for the widening available online? I still don't know how they're going to fix Exit 5 or if they plan to integrate the welcome center into the interchange.

https://www.scdoti95widening.com/vpim
https://www.scdoti95widening.com/s/I-95_MM-0-8_Overall-PIM-exhibit-for-website22-8-17.pdf

Looks like a simple auxiliary lane.

No good. They need an extra off-ramp starting behind the welcome center, add ramps from the welcome center from both parking lots, split off the current re-entry ramp from the welcome center to one where trucks can get back on immediately and cars can go over that ramp and use it for the newly re-channelized lane to the existing northbound off-ramp. Either that or just start a northbound collective/distributor lane as riddle082 suggested. I like the relocation for the frontage road though.

[roadman65]

US 278 is the main exit to Hilton Head Island, so having the lane drop there, at least temporarily won't be as bad as we think.

How much of the traffic gets off there.  Sure there may be high ADT on the Exit 8 ramp, but what percentage of the through traffic represents that count.

[02 Park Ave]

I would think that most traffic getting off at Exit 8 is southbound on the I-95 although there would be some tourists coming north from the Savannah airport.

[wriddle082]

A lot of jobs in the region are at the Port of Savannah, which is most easily accessed from Exit 109 in GA.  That exit is incredibly busy during most of the day, and was converted to a DDI several years ago.  Lots of trucks enter and exit I-95 in either direction from this exit, as well as port workers who may enjoy a slightly lower cost of living on the SC side of the metro area.

The Port of Charleston, and Charleston area growth in general from primarily Midwest transplants, is the key reason why SCDOT is more focused on widening I-26 over I-95.  The backups along I-26 between Sandy Run (where 6-lane ends SE of Columbia) and I-95 are very annoying, and are an every day occurrence that happens not just during the annual holiday snowbird southern migration season.  This is why I-26 receives a higher priority than I-95, though they really ought to focus more on the Orangeburg area.

[Alex]

Missed seeing the construction on I-95, as major traffic delays both at Ridgeland and Hardeeville on Monday afternoon resulted in me taking S.C. 462, S.C. 170 and U.S. 17 to Savannah to avoid the mess. There was also a major traffic back-up at the exchange with I-26 (which is also currently under construction), which I avoided by taking U.S. 15 to the east.

The widening of I-95 between the Georgia line and I-26 cannot come soon enough. However the long time table just to improve it to mile marker 33 means I likely will continue diverting from I-95 through the South Carolina LowCountry for the foreseeable future.

As for the changes at Exit 5 and Exit 8. Signals will be added for the ramps linking I-95 with U.S. 17 at Exit 5. Exit 8 will be converted to a DDI with a signal added with the relocation of Medical Center Drive to the east.

The potential Exit 3 is a DDI as well.

The plans are included in the Industry Forum Powerpoint from October 10, 2024.

I looked through all of the projects listed on the fixthedrive95.com website a few weeks ago and the proposed interchange redesign for the trumpet where U.S. 17 branches east is disappointing.

Alternative 1 is a diamond interchange
Alternative 2 is a parclo interchange

Both designs also call for adding a traffic light on U.S. 17 just east of the exchange. The project website includes:

The current ramp design allows drivers to maintain high speeds when exiting I-95, which can lead to safety concerns on the local roadway

The proposed improvements would help slow vehicles down once they have excited I-95

The connection to the west frontage road needs improvement, but to removing all high-speed movements between a freeway and rural four lane, divided highway while also adding a signal.

[architect77]

Kudos to SC for raising its gas tax to address growth and to fund interstate improvements.

I-85 improvements are now finished. The 20 mile 4-lane section at the GA border has been repaved.

I am concerned though because I-85 through SC is almost at full capacity. I know they won't be revisiting this corridor for decades to add another lane, and I-95 is now getting the attention it needs.

As someone who travels a lot on I-85 through the upstate, I witness the problem that's preventing maximum throughput. It's slowpokes who plant themselves in the left most lane and also big trucks who stay in the middle lane but maintain slower speeds than the general flow which causes hundreds of additional lane changes by others getting around them.

SC has installed several shoulder signs that go largely unnoticed by the left lane slowpokes. On the right shoulder these low height skinny signs read, "STATE LAW: SLOWER TRAFFIC MOVE RIGHT".

Getting these signs in the faces of left lane slowpokes who increase safety and throughput of I-85 through South Carolina. It would reduce overall lane changes and enforce the proper speed hierarchy of highway.

2 years ago I emailed SC offering this suggestion and it supposedly got forwarded to the headquarters office. The county employee called me on the phone and said they feel that mounting the sign to the center median is too dangerous for workers and especially when it needs replacing.

So my question is why can't the same sign be mounted overhead on existing gantries at about 3 or 4 locations throughout I-85's total length? They have about 5 or 6 shoulder signs installed now mostly near the borders.

Also I think NC would greatly benefit from an advertising campaign on TV and social media regarding the left lane slowpokes because it's really a problem in NC. It's so inconsiderate for these selfish lovers of the left lane to use it for their entire trip while being oblivious to all of the extra lane changes they cause for others.

Is it ok to mount a sign like this overhead? Other regulation signs are mounted overhead.

[D-Dey65]

Missed seeing the construction on I-95, as major traffic delays both at Ridgeland and Hardeeville on Monday afternoon resulted in me taking S.C. 462, S.C. 170 and U.S. 17 to Savannah to avoid the mess. There was also a major traffic back-up at the exchange with I-26 (which is also currently under construction), which I avoided by taking U.S. 15 to the east.

The widening of I-95 between the Georgia line and I-26 cannot come soon enough. However the long time table just to improve it to mile marker 33 means I likely will continue diverting from I-95 through the South Carolina LowCountry for the foreseeable future.

As for the changes at Exit 5 and Exit 8. Signals will be added for the ramps linking I-95 with U.S. 17 at Exit 5. Exit 8 will be converted to a DDI with a signal added with the relocation of Medical Center Drive to the east.

The potential Exit 3 is a DDI as well.

The plans are included in the Industry Forum Powerpoint from October 10, 2024.

I looked through all of the projects listed on the fixthedrive95.com website a few weeks ago and the proposed interchange redesign for the trumpet where U.S. 17 branches east is disappointing.

Alternative 1 is a diamond interchange
Alternative 2 is a parclo interchange

Both designs also call for adding a traffic light on U.S. 17 just east of the exchange. The project website includes:

The current ramp design allows drivers to maintain high speeds when exiting I-95, which can lead to safety concerns on the local roadway

The proposed improvements would help slow vehicles down once they have excited I-95

The connection to the west frontage road needs improvement, but to removing all high-speed movements between a freeway and rural four lane, divided highway while also adding a signal.

The replacement for the trumpet interchange at the south end of the I-95/US 17 overlap sucks too. Besides the issues you mentioned, it seems like they're relocating US 17 onto a whole new frontage road that's only two lanes wide, but how far north from Exit 22. None of their maps say anything about that.

[Beltway]

As someone who travels a lot on I-85 through the upstate, I witness the problem that's preventing maximum throughput. It's slowpokes who plant themselves in the left most lane and also big trucks who stay in the middle lane but maintain slower speeds than the general flow which causes hundreds of additional lane changes by others getting around them.

It is the middle lane slowpokes that cause far more problems, IMHO. That being the middle lane of a 3-lane directional roadway. They commonly go 5 or 10 mph below the speed limit and as you say traffic has to flow around them and it disrupts the whole traffic flow.

In the left lane it is pretty rare that they go less than the speed limit.

[roadman65]

Is the Future Exit 3 to lengthen Riverport Parkway that currently dead ends west of US 17?

I see its supposed to be north of the CSX rail line underpass, but is it that existing road or will it be a new road?

[TimQuiQui]

https://www.wjcl.com/article/i95-expansion-exit-3-hardeeville/61574330

It's a little bit of both: new road location plus repurposing the local Purrysburg RD

Is the Future Exit 3 to lengthen Riverport Parkway that currently dead ends west of US 17?

I see its supposed to be north of the CSX rail line underpass, but is it that existing road or will it be a new road?