Interstate 520 - Palmetto Parkway

Known as Palmetto Parkway, Interstate 520 extends eight miles northeast from the Savannah River to I-20 by Mathis Lake. The road was first proposed in 1971.¹ Split between two phases, the first opened to traffic on June 22, 2004 at a cost of $43 million between Laney-Walker Boulevard in Augusta and U.S. 1 in North Augusta.² Phase one included a new bridge over the Savannah River. North Augusta City Council supported construction of a six lane span, but GADOT officials did not back that capacity, and a four lane span was constructed instead. Work commenced in August 2002.³

Two routes were studied in 2003 for the north end of the Palmetto Parkway. They included a direct tie in at the U.S. 25/S.C. 121 (Edgefield Road) interchange (Exit 5) and a new interchange with Interstate 20, 4,000 feet east of Exit 5. The latter was selected to alleviate traffic concerns at U.S. 25 and minimize impact on area businesses.⁴ Completion of the $275 million Palmetto Parkway took place during a ribbon cutting ceremony held on December 16, 2009.⁵

Interstate 520 South Carolina Guides

• East
• West

Connect with:
Interstate 20
Interstate 520 - Bobby Jones Expressway
U.S. 1
U.S. 25
U.S. 78

Page Updated 09-10-2021.