As the widening project on Interstate 85 in Cherokee County, S.C. nears completion, the northbound lanes have reopened. The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) made the announcement a week before Thanksgiving as millions are expected to travel.
The new northbound lanes are completed from mile marker 77 to mile marker 98 in Spartanburg and Cherokee Counties.
Along the approximately 8-mile project area, interchanges at Exit 100, Exit 102, Exit 104 and Exit 106 have been modified to bring them into compliance with state and federal design requirements.
The overpass bridge at the Norfolk Southern railroad crossing will be replaced to provide greater vertical clearance to meet design standards.
The $480 million widening project has been under construction since 2017 and has had several delays. The section near Gaffney was the remaining portion on the northbound side of the interstate.
SCDOT urged drives to continue to use caution in the area while final paving is completed from mile marker 96 to 98. Some occasional nighttime lane closures may be used during the process.
SCDOT said that their contractor has committed to completing the remaining southbound lanes of I-85 by the end of 2024 although shoulder surfacing work will continue into the spring due to the temperature.
Source: SCDOT, WYFF, FOX
