The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) has closed one lane of a section of Interstate 85 southbound in Anderson County beginning this week to repair a deteriorating bridge deck. While the bridge is safe for travel, the condition warrants repairs before it worsens or disrupts upcoming holiday traffic.
The bridge deck spans a railroad located at mile marker 18, approximately 1 mile south of US 76 (Clemson Blvd. exit 19A) and a quarter-mile north of a rest area. The right (outside) southbound lane will remain closed throughout the repairs, leaving the left southbound lane of travel open to motorists.
Work was to begin at 10 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13, and is scheduled to be completed by Nov. 22. (Note: This schedule may be extended due to weather delays or unforeseen circumstances).
SCDOT’s contractor, Lee Construction Co., of Charlotte, will be working 24 hours a day until the job is completed.
With an average daily traffic of approximately 45,000 vehicles, lengthy backups are expected during the lane closure.
Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes, to avoid this area if possible and plan ahead for delays.
Electronic message boards and signs will direct motorists at the lane closure location.
Motorists are advised to use caution when traveling in the work zone for their safety and the safety of highway workers. Traffic conditions are available at the SCDOT 511 site, www.511sc.org.
Engineers said a 100-square-foot section of deck, 10 inches deep, must be replaced with new concrete and a new layer of asphalt.
In addition to the repairs to the southbound section, the northbound section of I-85 also requires repairs at the same location. The northbound I-85 repair schedule is Nov. 15 until Nov. 22, and will also require a lane closure.
For more information, the public may contact Jeremy Hodges, Laurens Construction Resident Construction Engineer at (864) 984-3214.
