Busy Malfunction Junction exit will be closed for roadwork
The area known as Malfunction Junction could experience more traffic jams than normal this week because a busy exit will be closed as part of a roadwork project, the South Carolina Department of Transportation said Tuesday.
A temporary closure and detour will be set up for at least two nights at Exit 107A on the westbound lanes of Interstate 26, SCDOT said in a news release. That exit, near St. Andrews Road, is the junction with Interstate 20, heading toward Augusta, Georgia.
The exit will be closed from 11 p.m. through 5 a.m. the following day, beginning Wednesday and continuing Thursday, according to the release.
SCDOT said the roadwork is part of a pavement preservation project taking place on I-20, from mile marker 60 to 70. Its purpose is to keep the pavement surface safe for drivers traveling on I-20, and the work on the exit will eliminate potential safety concerns to drivers on I-26, according to the release.
The $6.5 million project is not expected to be completed until December, SCDOT said.
The detour will take drivers heading west on on I-26 beyond the junction with I-20 for Augusta and to Exit 106A, the St. Andrews Road exit, SCDOT said. By staying in the far right lane on St. Andrews Road, drivers will immediately be able to merge onto the ramp to I-26 East where they can take Exit 107A to access I-20 West toward Augusta, according to the release.
There will be signs for the detour, and drivers are asked to use caution when traveling in the area.
Looking to avoid any confusion, SCDOT officials said this repaving work in the area called Malfunction Junction is not part of the Carolina Crossroad Project. That five-phase construction project will upgrade travel hub connecting I-20, I-26, and I-126, and is scheduled to be completed in 2029.
Drivers traveling through the work zone are asked to be aware of equipment and crews, and to “Let ‘em Work. Let ‘em Live,” SCDOT said.
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This story was originally published August 11, 2020 at 2:57 PM with the headline "Busy Malfunction Junction exit will be closed for roadwork."
