COLUMBIA, S.C. — Drivers along southbound I-77 received a little good news on Saturday with the completion of several days of bridgework and the reopening of lanes.
The South Carolina Department of Transportation announced on Saturday afternoon that it had completed its bridge rehabilitation efforts along a stretch of the interstate between Bluff Road and I-26.
The southbound efforts were the second half of the project which started with a lengthy closure of northbound lanes for the same work. During both phases, drivers heading in that direction on I-77 had to seek temporary detours with some saying they saw notable increases in their drive times.
However, the latest phase appears to have been completed a day early with previous estimates slating the reopening for Sunday.
"Dedicated crews worked around the clock to finish this accelerated project on time, leaving behind a smooth, sound driving surface," SCDOT said in Saturday's announcement.
Not including the latest revelation regarding the I-77 bridges, the South Carolina Department of Transportation said previously that it had completed 1999 bridge projects with another 75 under construction.