COLUMBIA CELEBRATES PROGRESS ON MALFUNCTION JUNCTION IMPROVEMENTS
As we cozy up to the holiday season, Columbia is buzzing with excitement over the major developments taking place at the notorious Malfunction Junction. If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in the chaotic traffic where Interstates 20 and 26 meet, you’ll be glad to hear that the long-awaited improvements are finally taking shape!
What’s Happening?
Construction for the Carolina Crossroads project, which has been in the making for a decade, is gaining momentum. Originally launched in the spring and summer, the *fix has now officially gone vertical*, and people can’t help but take notice. According to the South Carolina Department of Transportation (DOT), the project will transform this area into a smoother, more efficient interchange. The excitement is palpable as crews are working hard to make our daily commutes much easier!
A New Timeline and Phases of Construction
To make sure progress continued seamlessly, officials reorganized the planned phases of this mega-project back in February. They promised a streamlined schedule that would lead to quicker completion. So far, it appears they’re on the right track! DOT spokesperson Hannah Robinson mentioned that the department is “nearing completion” of the first two phases of the project. These phases cover crucial improvements to Interstates 26 and 126, as well as I-20 and Broad River Road. Talk about a win for local drivers!
Looking ahead, work on Phase 3B is expected to kick off in early 2025. This segment will involve clearing land around Interstates 20 and 26 to pave the way for relocating utilities and redesigning frontage roads. You might see some clearing activity in the area soon as preparations get underway!
What Can We Expect Next?
So far, three out of the four new ramps at the I-26/126 interchange near Colonial Life Boulevard have been completed. And while it’s bittersweet to see three ramps at Bush River Road closing down as part of Phase 1, Robinson reassures us that paving and the final touches will begin in the spring. The anticipation is building!
Recently, a shiny new bridge on the on-ramp from Broad River Road to westbound I-20 opened its doors! And there’s even another one under construction, which has us all buzzing with excitement. Just on November 14, a new bridge leading to Colonial Life Boulevard was completed too — it’s safe to say some significant progress is being made!
Future Phases and Long-Term Benefits
But wait, there’s more! Additional phases of the Carolina Crossroads project are set to roll out through 2029. This means even more enhancements, including redesigns of the I-20 and I-26 interchange and widening I-26 from Bush River Road to Broad River Road. Big things are definitely on the horizon!
The staggering investment of $1.7 billion for the entire project reflects how crucial these improvements are for the community. Once everything is wrapped up, experts predict the overhaul will save drivers an average of an impressive **112 hours** stuck in traffic every year. With approximately **237,000 vehicles** passing through this bottleneck daily, that’s some relief we can all appreciate!
“The improvements are *critical to the state’s economic vitality*,” the DOT raves. Not only will these changes enhance the daily commute for thousands of South Carolinians, but they will also play a pivotal role in keeping our economy thriving. Isn’t that fantastic news?
So as holiday lights begin to twinkle around town and folks settle in for the season, let’s keep our fingers crossed for more good news regarding the Malfunction Junction projects in the weeks and months ahead!
