A project to widen 29 miles of I-85 from Spartanburg, South Carolina, to the North Carolina border hit another milestone with the opening of two new lanes and direct access to two exits.
Traffic was shifted to the new northbound lanes November 4, according to the S.C. Department of Transportation. That northbound traffic had previously been traveling in southbound lanes while work occurred. The new lanes were built on the outside of the existing northbound lanes.
The new lanes cover six miles between Spartanburg and Cowpens from mile marker 80 to 86. The majority of the entire project, with contracts totaling more than $618 million, is expected to be completed by the end of 2024, according to SCDOT.
Work began in 2017 on rehabilitating and widening 29 miles of I-85 and exits between mile marker 77 and the N.C. line. The goal is to help reduce traffic congestion and improve safety and economic development.
The contractors on the design-build project are a joint venture of Blythe Construction and Zachry Construction, known as BZJV, and Lane Construction.
This graphic shows the four sections of the I-85 widening project between Spartanburg, S.C., and the N.C. line.SCDOT
Meanwhile, Lane Construction, awarded a $182 million contract, began work August 2019 on widening 8 miles of the four-lane interstate to six lanes from mile marker 98 to the N.C. line at mile marker 106. Travel lanes are being added in both directions, interchanges reconstructed for four exits and a Norfolk Southern railroad bridge replaced.
“I am pleased to announce another big step forward on the I-85 widening project,” said S.C. Secretary of Transportation Christy A. Hall in announcing the new lanes. “It is well known that this has been a challenging project, and our team has worked hard to advance us to this point. We are not slowing down, and we will deliver on this critical project.”
