Transportation commission approves projects on I-26, I-95

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A pair of rural interstate improvement projects have been approved by the S.C. Department of Transportation Commission for interstates 95 and 26. The first two projects are part of the SCDOT strategic 10 year plan to improve bridges and roads throughout the state, according to a news release.

At a meeting Thursday, the commission approved preliminary phases of the $55 million Interstate 26 Corridor Improvement Project from Old Sandy Run Road at exit 125 to Burke Road at exit 139 in Lexington and Calhoun counties.

The commission also approved preliminary phases of the Interstate 95 Corridor Improvement Project from the six-lane section at the Georgia state line to U.S. 278 at exit 8 in Jasper County. That project is expected to cost $31.6 million.

The projects are part of the SCDOT Rural Interstate Freight Network Mobility Improvement Program, which will add interstate lanes throughout the state to improve the efficiency and mobility of freight transport. The program is in addition to an interstate widening program previously approved by the commission that included urban areas of I-26 between Columbia and Charleston.

The public will have a chance to comment on the projects at meetings to be announced next week.