On Thursday, the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) unveiled its plan to expand 13 miles of Interstate 95 that runs through Jasper County. It’s the second segment of a project that will eventually overhaul the 200-mile length of the interstate.
The entire project is broken into smaller, more manageable chunks, said Ginny Jones, an SCDOT spokesperson.
"I think it goes without saying that the I-95 widening project is long overdue," said Ridgeland Town Manager Dennis Averkin. "Anything that can be done to alleviate the chronic congestion on this corridor is welcomed."
The second segment of the project will expand 13 miles of interstate highway between exits 8 and 22 from two lanes to three. Along the way, it will have to make improvements to 11 bridges and overpasses and will result in the reconfiguration of interchanges at exits 18 and 21.
"Exits 18 and 22 are outdated and, quite frankly, dangerous exit configurations. Both of these exits will be brought up to standard and will open areas surrounding both exits up to much-needed economic development," said Averkin.
Plans for the second segment are currently in design phase and will continue into the spring of 2026. Right-of-way acquisition will follow and take about a year. The project's final design phase will start in the fall of 2027 and last about six months. All of that will lead to the start of construction in the fall of 2027. Construction is expected to be complete four years later.
Source: Post and Courier, Fixthedrive95.com
