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[Mapmikey]

Why was a new alignment of I-85 built around Spartanburg instead of widening the old alignment?

The old alignment was a pre-interstate era freeway that has/had missing exit movements and terrible ramp geometries.  To modernize it would've required more than a simple widening to 6 lanes - would've required a complete rebuild which would've taken out many existing businesses/structures.

It was likely just as easy to build an all new alignment around the city.  There was discussion of changing I-85 Bus to I-685 in 2000 but it would've still cost >$100M to bring the road up to interstate standard, presumably with no widening.

[Alex]

Why was a new alignment of I-85 built around Spartanburg instead of widening the old alignment?

The old alignment was a pre-interstate era freeway that has/had missing exit movements and terrible ramp geometries.  To modernize it would've required more than a simple widening to 6 lanes - would've required a complete rebuild which would've taken out many existing businesses/structures.

It was likely just as easy to build an all new alignment around the city.  There was discussion of changing I-85 Bus to I-685 in 2000 but it would've still cost >$100M to bring the road up to interstate standard, presumably with no widening.

Proposals to upgrade the old freeway started in 1983. Spartanburg initially was against realignment, fearing a loss in economic revenue. Nonetheless FHWA approved the northern realignment, which at the time the estimated cost was just $4 million more than costs to upgrade the old route:

https://www.interstate-guide.com/i-085/

The old alignment was once proposed as I-285, partly so that I-585 would still connect with the Interstate system.

[wriddle082]

Why was a new alignment of I-85 built around Spartanburg instead of widening the old alignment?

The old alignment was a pre-interstate era freeway that has/had missing exit movements and terrible ramp geometries.  To modernize it would've required more than a simple widening to 6 lanes - would've required a complete rebuild which would've taken out many existing businesses/structures.

It was likely just as easy to build an all new alignment around the city.  There was discussion of changing I-85 Bus to I-685 in 2000 but it would've still cost >$100M to bring the road up to interstate standard, presumably with no widening.

Proposals to upgrade the old freeway started in 1983. Spartanburg initially was against realignment, fearing a loss in economic revenue. Nonetheless FHWA approved the northern realignment, which at the time the estimated cost was just $4 million more than costs to upgrade the old route:

https://www.interstate-guide.com/i-085/

The old alignment was once proposed as I-285, partly so that I-585 would still connect with the Interstate system.

Little by little they’re still fixing parts of 85 Business.  Right now the bridge over the Hearon Circle interchange (Exit 4) is closed down for a complete rebuild.  I think that’s scheduled to be finished by June of next year.  They’ll probably/hopefully add shoulders to the new bridge, but I’m sure it won’t be upgraded to full interstate standards.  The original bridge dates back to the 50’s, possibly early 50’s.

[architect77]

Does anyone know when the I-85 widening project will be finished? It's not fun to navigate the work zone, and I feel like I've had to do it a dozen times.

[VTGoose]

Did the Florida-Virginia trip home on Sunday, slogging up I-95/I-26/I-77 through South Carolina. Luckily traffic wasn't bad and we moved right along. Somewhere around Hardeeville there were two smallish text-heavy signs next to the interstate about public comment wanted. Not sure how anyone was supposed to read the signs at 70+ MPH, but they apparently refer to the call for comments the on the I-95 Widening Project in Jasper County between MM 8 -MM 21 (see https://www.scdot.org/projects/press-releases-MileMarker8-MM21.aspx). Per the news release, preliminary engineering will be done this year but construction won't start until 2026. There is also another call for comments on the next section from MM 21 to exit 33 (see https://www.scdot.org/projects/press-releases-MileMarker21-MM33.aspx). That construction won't start until 2028. Perhaps (if interstates still matter) I-95 will be widened for its entire length in South Carolina by the turn of the next century.

[D-Dey65]

Did the Florida-Virginia trip home on Sunday, slogging up I-95/I-26/I-77 through South Carolina. Luckily traffic wasn't bad and we moved right along. Somewhere around Hardeeville there were two smallish text-heavy signs next to the interstate about public comment wanted. Not sure how anyone was supposed to read the signs at 70+ MPH, but they apparently refer to the call for comments the on the I-95 Widening Project in Jasper County between MM 8 -MM 21 (see https://www.scdot.org/projects/press-releases-MileMarker8-MM21.aspx). Per the news release, preliminary engineering will be done this year but construction won't start until 2026. There is also another call for comments on the next section from MM 21 to exit 33 (see https://www.scdot.org/projects/press-releases-MileMarker21-MM33.aspx). That construction won't start until 2028. Perhaps (if interstates still matter) I-95 will be widened for its entire length in South Carolina by the turn of the next century.

"Comments will be accepted until the close of business on August 11, 2022."
Damn! If I only knew about this before then. 

I was hoping there would be more details on their PDF files. I'm also disappointed they're not covering anything south of Exit 8. Today I reconsidered a replacement for the northbound off-ramp at Exit 5 that included the entrance to the Welcome Center.

[D-Dey65]

Here's my idea for the new Exit 5, more or less:
https://imgur.com/a/3AUpkoI

Hey, did you know that the majority of Bridge Reports for bridges in Jasper County are rated at either fair or poor condition, including those along I-95?
https://bridgereports.com/sc/jasper/exhibit/

[Ted$8roadFan]

Does anyone know when the I-85 widening project will be finished? It's not fun to navigate the work zone, and I feel like I've had to do it a dozen times.

Still in progress as of late October. Not fun to travel indeed.

[gbgoose]

Does anyone know when the I-85 widening project will be finished? It's not fun to navigate the work zone, and I feel like I've had to do it a dozen times.

Still in progress as of late October. Not fun to travel indeed.

According to the i-85 South Carolina site, MM 98-106 is scheduled for completion next month.  The rest of it not until late 2024.

Fixed quote
- Alex

[wriddle082]

Does anyone know when the I-85 widening project will be finished? It's not fun to navigate the work zone, and I feel like I've had to do it a dozen times.

According to the i-85 South Carolina site, MM 98-106 is scheduled for completion next month.  The rest of it not until late 2024.
Still in progress as of late October. Not fun to travel indeed.

Indeed, a couple of weeks ago I went through going northbound.  After you cross the Broad River, you have three striped asphalt lanes with barrels blocking the right lane.  So much smoother than the temporary patchwork work zone pavement, and even though the lanes aren’t fully opened, it’s nice to not have the claustrophobic feeling that the cattle chutes give.

One reason why the rest of it is taking longer, IMO, is because it’s mostly being built in concrete.  Also they have been fixing some of the superelevation issues.

[quantumzirconium]

I've been to South Carolina and Convey so many times. They have fine roads.
I like the local nature.