News Summary
Lexington County is advancing plans for a new interchange on Interstate 20 at Calks Ferry Road to alleviate rising traffic congestion. The project, backed by a $1 million engineering contract, aims to enhance traffic management and is crucial due to significant population growth in the area. While residents have expressed concerns about potential land acquisition, officials are conducting surveys and feasibility studies to further assess the project’s impact and secure federal approval.
Lexington County Moves Forward with Plans for New Interstate 20 Interchange at Calks Ferry Road
Lexington County is advancing with plans for a new interchange on Interstate 20 at Calks Ferry Road to address escalating traffic issues in the area. The project is expected to enhance traffic flow, particularly at the congested intersection of Longs Pond Road and Two Notch Road, as traffic volume continues to rise.
Residents, including CarolAnn Bailey-Lloyd, have received notifications that survey crews may soon access their properties to conduct assessments related to the interchange study. The survey will include identifying wetlands, marking streams, and executing other necessary evaluations as part of the feasibility study, which is funded by a legislative earmark.
Brent Hyatt, the Director of Public Works for Lexington County, emphasizes that the study is essential due to the sustained growth in traffic. In 2023, an estimated 48,400 vehicles used the relevant segment of Interstate 20 daily, a statistic that reflects the increasing demands on local roadways.
The new interchange project is still in its early stages, with officials clarifying that no eminent domain actions—the legal process allowing the county to survey private property with compensation to owners—are currently planned. However, the possibility of land acquisition has raised concerns among residents, such as Jayne Seboe, who supports improving traffic flow but is apprehensive about potential impacts on her property.
On March 11, the Lexington County Council unanimously approved an engineering contract worth nearly $1 million aimed at initiating the project. These funds will be directed towards conducting comprehensive traffic studies and developing preliminary designs for the new interchange.
Before any construction can take place, county officials must complete a thorough traffic analysis and an Interchange Justification Report to secure federal approval. Council member Darrell Hudson noted that the consideration of this project has been ongoing for the past eight years, highlighting the community’s long-standing need for improved infrastructure.
The area’s population has seen significant changes; approximately 2,500 new residents have moved to the Red Bank area over the last decade, contributing to the increased traffic levels. As the project moves forward, some residents have expressed uncertainty about the proposed interchange location and have suggested evaluating alternative options.
With traffic congestion escalating notably at local intersections, the new interchange at Calks Ferry Road is poised to become a vital component in enhancing traffic management in Lexington County. As surveys and studies progress, local officials will continue to engage with the community to address concerns and gather input on the project.
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Additional Resources
- WLTX: Proposed Lexington County Interchange Concerns Nearby Residents
- Lexington Chronicle: New Calks Ferry Interchange May Be in Lexington
- The State: Lexington County Interchange Road Plans
- WLTX: Proposed I-20 Exit Lexington County
- Wikipedia: Interchange
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