Columbia Standard

Interstate improvements aimed at saving the average South Carolina commuter 112 driving hours a year got underway last week with a groundbreaking ceremony to signify the beginning of construction on the Carolina Crossroads Project. 

“Today we broke ground on the Carolina Crossroads Project that will serve our state for decades to come," Gov. Henry McMaster tweeted, sharing a photo from the groundbreaking attended by state leaders and the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT). "This project will not only support economic growth across the state, the project itself will provide many employment opportunities for South Carolina and our workers.”

According to a report by ABC Columbia, the massive five-phase, $1.7 billion construction project will improve traffic flow in notoriously clogged and busy areas, including “malfunction junction," where Interstates 20, 26 and 126 merge. One part of the project calls for improving 14 miles of those interstates, the report said.

Though the project has been delayed over the years due to a lack of vision and funding, the report states it is now set to become South Carolina’s largest interstate improvement project to date.

The Carolina Crossroads website says benefits will include reduced traffic congestion, improved safety, modernized infrastructure and accommodated growth, making the area both more modern and more mobile for travelers.