Business Loop I-85

Business Loop I-85 is an older freeway connecting Interstate 85 with Fairforest, Una and Southern Shops north of Spartanburg in the Upstate of South Carolina. Predating the Interstate system as a bypass for U.S. 29, the 8.77 mile long route was originally part of I-85.

Business Loop I-85 Guides

Business Loop I-85 North - 28 photos

Business Loop I-85 South - 13 photos

Business Loop I-85 was designated in 1995 when the new alignment for Interstate 85 to the northwest of Spartanburg opened to traffic. First proposed in 1986, the bypass was estimated to cost $53 million with four lanes at a length of 9.6 miles. It was anticipated for completion in 1992.

Revisions to the bypass for I-85 followed, including expansion of the freeway to six lanes. As a result, the associated costs increased to $116 million and the time table shifted to December 1994.¹ Work finally broke ground in 1988 with a completion deadline set for November 1994. Weather delays and an abundance of unanticipated rock in the road's alignment pushed construction well into 1995 and costs to $122 million.^2,3 A planned opening date of August 27 was further delayed by several days due to heavy rains from Tropical Depression Jerry.⁴

Resigning of Interstate 85 as Business Loop I-85 included the following exit number changes:⁵

• Exit 69 -> Exit 1 for S.C. 41
• Exits 70A/B -> Exit 2A/B for I-26
• Exit 71 -> Exit 2C for Fairforest Road
• Exit 72A -> Exit 3 for New Cut Road
• Exit 72B -> Exit 4A for Viaduct Road (southbound only)
• Exit 72C -> Exit 4 northbound and 4B southbound for S.C. 56 (Asheville Highway)
• Exit 73A -> Exit 5A for I-585/U.S. 176 / Pine Street
• Exit 73B -> Exit 5B for U.S. 176 (southbound only)
• Exit 74 -> Exit 5B for Milliken Road (northbound only)
• Exit 75 -> Exit 6 for S.C. 9
• Exit 76 -> Exit 7 for Bryant Road

scenes

Directing traffic onto Business Loop I-85 south near I-585/U.S. 176, an Interstate 85 trailblazer stands along N Campus Boulevard at University Way.

06/01/07

A compact cloverleaf interchange connects S.C. 9 (Boiling Springs Road) with the frontage road system along Business Loop I-85. This trailblazer was posted at the loop ramp from S.C. 9 south onto Landers Road (Road 998) east for Business 85 north.

12/08/99

References:

1. "New Interstate 85 bypass causes fear, excitement." Herald-Journal (Spartanburg, SC), October 18, 1993.
2. "Interstate project set for completion within five weeks New Section of I-85 : Countdown to opening day drivers on I-85 ready for relief officials say highway to open within five weeks." Herald-Journal (Spartanburg, SC), July 21, 1995.
3. "New I-85 to open Aug. 27 $122 million highway bypasses congestion." Herald-Journal (Spartanburg, SC), August 19, 1995.
4. "Heavy rains delay opening of I-85, again rain delays I-85 Opening....again." Herald-Journal (Spartanburg, SC), August 29, 1995.
5. "New I-85 brings changes in exits." Herald-Journal (Spartanburg, SC), September 24, 1995.

Connect with:

Interstate 26

Interstate 85

Interstate 585 / U.S. 176

U.S. 176

Highway 9

Page Updated Monday September 20, 2021.