Located in the heart of South Carolina, the ‘Malfunction Junction’ sees more than 134,000 vehicles pass through it each day. According to the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT), “Those commuters, freight haulers, and other daily travelers experience more than 112 hours of delay each year at this interchange due to congestion.”

Phase 1 of the project is valued at $210 million and will see the revamping of the Colonial Life Boulevard interchange area on I-126. While pending final approval by the Secretary of SCDOT, the department says the public “should anticipate seeing major construction activity beginning in spring 2022 with all the work associated with the Phase 1 project being completed by the end of 2024.”

This SCDOT map helps visualize the different phases of the project.

“The upgrade and modernization of the intersection of I-20, I-26 and I-126 is critical to our economic vitality and will enhance the daily commute for thousands of South Carolinians,” said SCDOT Secretary Christy A. Hall. “The team of Archer-United has an excellent track record of delivering good, quality projects on time and on budget and I look forward to the improvements beginning on this critical project for the State of South Carolina."

The contract for Phase 2 of the project is expected to advance this summer, with all phases expected to be fully completed and open to vehicular traffic by the end of 2029.

The $1.7 billion project will include 14 miles of widening across parts of I-26, I-20, and I-126, seven reconstructed interchanges which will get rid of outdated “cloverleaf” loops, and safer interchange exits spaced further away from one another as well as interstate traffic.

Ninety percent of funding for the project will come from the federal government, and 10 percent from state funds, made possible by a 2017 state gas tax hike.

Completion of the project requires the state to buy up 300 parcels of land which includes housing and businesses, and is willing to pay $240 million to do it.

If you are interested in contracting with the South Carolina Department of Transportation for the Carolina Crossroads project, visit this link.