COLUMBIA, S.C. — Wondering what's the latest on the plans to unravel Malfunction Junction? South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) will be hosting a public meeting Tuesday, August 30, to provide the latest information concerning the Carolina Crossroads I-20/26/126 Corridor Project.
Attendees at Tuesday's meeting -- 5-7 p.m. at Dutch Square Mall, 421 Bush River Rd. (near the entrance to Dollar Tree) -- will get a first look at final plans for Phase 2 construction. SCDOT representatives will be on hand to provide information on how construction will impact traffic in the area.
Major construction on Phase 1 of the project was to begin in Summer 2022 with an estimated substantial completion in late 2024. A new full access interchange at Colonial Life Boulevard to replace the Bush River Road interchange at I-26, and a lengthened I-26 eastbound exit ramp to US-378/Sunset Boulevard are expected to improve traffic flow and safety.
Phase 2 is also scheduled to start construction in 2022 with an estimated substantial completion date in early 2025.
In Phase 2, improvements will be made to the Broad River Road interchange at I-20, the shared ramp at Garner Lane Road will be removed to stop possible wrong-way driving on the eastbound entrance ramp to I-20, and I-20 westbound's access to I-26 westbound (Malfunction Junction) will be improved to minimize congestion as vehicles change interstates.
Overall, Carolina Crossroads consists of five phases and involves 14 miles of interstate on I-20, I-26, and I-126 near Columbia. Construction starts on the phases are staggered with the final Phase 5 scheduled to be finished in 2029.
