August 15, 2025

South Carolina Initiates Major I-95 Expansion Project

News Summary

South Carolina has announced an $825 million project to widen Interstate 95, addressing severe traffic congestion. The expansion will add three lanes in each direction over a 10-mile stretch, focusing on improving flow near the Savannah River bridge. Set to begin in August 2025, the project reflects a larger commitment to upgrading state infrastructure, with additional funds for various highway enhancements throughout the region.

South Carolina has launched an ambitious $825 million project aimed at widening Interstate 95 (I-95), a critical move intended to ease significant traffic congestion in the region. As part of this endeavor, a 10-mile section of I-95 will be expanded to accommodate three lanes in each direction, with a primary focus on alleviating bottlenecks occurring at the Savannah River bridge near the Georgia state line. The project is set to begin in August 2025 and is expected to reach completion by 2030.

The groundbreaking ceremony for this large-scale project was held at the welcome center in Hardeeville, attended by various state officials including the Governor of South Carolina, Henry McMaster, and the Chair of the Georgia State Transportation Board, Ann Purcell. This widening of I-95 marks the largest contract in the history of the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT), reflecting significant investment in the state’s infrastructure.

The funding for the I-95 widening project is a collaborative effort, sourced from both federal and state budgets, along with additional contributions from Georgia for the reconstruction of the bridge. In tandem with the I-95 project, SCDOT is also progressing on a $2 billion initiative aimed at enhancing intersections at Interstates 20, 26, and 126 in Columbia. In addition, substantial expansions of Interstate 26—from Charleston to Columbia—are currently in planning stages, with ambitions to upgrade an extensive stretch of 70 miles of roadway. Furthermore, SCDOT has intentions to reconstruct the half loop of Interstate 526 around Charleston, which is projected to cost up to $7 billion.

Over the past decade, SCDOT has undertaken significant efforts to improve infrastructure in South Carolina, having repaved more than 25% of the state’s 41,000 miles of roads deemed to be in substandard condition. Additionally, many bridges constructed in the 1950s and 60s are approaching their intended lifespan, necessitating careful planning for future replacements. In response to a growing population—which has increased by 1.5 million people in the last 25 years—complaints regarding road conditions have shifted from concerns about potholes to traffic congestion, amplifying the need for robust highway projects.

In terms of infrastructure, South Carolina maintains the fourth largest state-controlled road network in the U.S., encompassing three times as many miles of roads as Florida. As part of SCDOT’s strategic development, the agency has witnessed a significant increase in budget allocation for highway construction, ballooning from $2.7 billion in 2017 to an expected $7 billion. This enhancement in funding has contributed to a notable improvement in SCDOT’s reputation and performance over the past eight years, facilitated by an increase through state gas taxes.

Despite the progress, the current leadership within SCDOT, including Secretary Justin Powell, faces ongoing challenges. There is a pressing need to not only maintain existing infrastructure but also to effectively address the demands brought on by a growing populace. Critics, particularly from the conservative Freedom Caucus, have raised concerns regarding the efficiency of spending and have suggested the need for employing artificial intelligence to reform regulatory processes within the agency. On this note, Secretary Powell has acknowledged the complexities associated with decentralizing road management, emphasizing the importance of securing adequate funding and resources for counties if roadway responsibilities were to shift towards them.

As South Carolina moves forward with this significant widening project and subsequent infrastructure developments, the initiative represents a crucial step towards enhancing road safety, reducing congestion, and supporting the state’s blueprints for economic growth.

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Author: STAFF HERE CLINTON

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