Plans are being drawn up in South Carolina for a major highway project, the first phase of which is due to commence in the second quarter of 2022. The second phase is due to commence shortly after, with work on the third phase due to start in 2023.
Called the Carolina Crossroads project, the work is expected to cost US$1.7 billion. According to the South Carolina Department of Transport (SCDOT), “the Carolina Crossroads I-20/26/126 Corridor Improvement Project is the number one interstate priority for South Carolina.”
SCDOT says it is carrying out the Carolina Crossroads I-20/26/126 Corridor Improvement Project using a phased approach, with the work having been divided into a total of five separate phases of construction. Procurement of Phases 1 and 2 began in April and July of 2020, respectively.
When the work is complete, 22.4km of the I-20/26/126 corridor will be upgraded. This will include the area that is notoriously called Malfunction Junction for the traffic problems it causes.
According to SCDOT, the intended construction completion date is 2029 for all five of the phases. To minimise traffic disruption in this congested area, much of the work will be carried out either at night or during times of non-peak traffic volumes.
