KERSHAW COUNTY, S.C. — Significant changes could be coming to U.S. 521 in Kershaw County to meet the growing demand for improved infrastructure.
A feasibility study is currently underway to assess the potential expansion of U.S. 521 to four lanes from Spencer Road in Sumter to I-20 in Camden.
"The end goal is to have a major road that runs from I-95 in Manning all the way to I-20 in that Camden area, knocking off some travel times and diversifying the amount of freight and personal vehicles traveling those roadways," said Dennis Cyphers, Executive Director with the Santee Lynches Regional Council of Government.
The road is already four lanes from Manning to Sumter and has proven beneficial for the region.
"It brought in new economic development, and of course, most famous out there is Continental Tire with a lot of freight movement," explained Cyphers.
The ongoing study is expected to provide insights into current traffic conditions and challenges faced by drivers.
"Right now, it's in the preliminary stages, where we're taking a look at current traffic counts we know that is in an area that is seeing more and more freight movement," Cyphers added.
Local businesses along U.S. 521 have varying opinions on the proposed expansion.
"I work here in the traffic every day. There's been a lot of accidents, so we need this badly," said Kawen Glover, Owner of Rembert's Farmers Market.
Commuter Wallace Diggs, who travels on U.S. 521, also sees the potential benefits. "I think it would be a nice thing. There are a lot of wrecks that way."
Cyphers said that the project faces challenges and has many steps before becoming a reality.
"Those feasibility studies can take anywhere from six to 12 months depending on how much is needed for that particular project," Cyphers cautioned. "After that, of course, there will be some what we call NEPA documentation from environmental review taking place to see what will be needed to install or conduct four lanes through there. This particular part of it is probably the shortest timeline of the planning phase once we get into construction, it could take multiple years."
The expansion project covers approximately 14 miles, spanning from Spencer Street to I-20.