KERSHAW COUNTY, S.C. — Residents in Kershaw County say U.S. Highway 1 has been under construction for weeks.
“In the afternoons, if I’m in a hurry, I don't ... I already plan on being five minutes late or five minutes leave early to get where I’m going," Kershaw County resident Toby Wiggers said. "I’m just curious what’s going on.”
Wiggers takes Highway 1 daily and says back-ups as far as the eye can see have become the norm since the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) shifted the bridge down to one lane back in September, heading eastbound from Lugoff into Camden.
The continued bridge construction has led to frustration.
“I cross that bridge 2-3 times daily going to Ridgeway and for work, Lugoff for work, and so I cross it several times of the day and sometimes the worst part of the day,” Wiggers said.
Wiggers says he sometimes feels like no workers are out and cones were just standing still.
So what’s happening?
We reached out to SCDOT, which confirmed work is still taking place.
In a written statement, SCDOT said:
"The lane is closed to allow for emergency repairs. Construction is not delayed – the project is currently in the design phase as the repair plan and schedule are determined. We expect construction work to be underway in the near future and wrapped up in early 2024. Once a contract has been awarded, we will have more details to provide on the repair schedule."