Bridge demolition to cause heavy traffic congestion on Richland County highway
Heavy traffic congestion and backups are expected this weekend as a section of a major highway running through Richland County will be closed for roadwork, the South Carolina Department of Transportation said.
The closures are to allow for the demolition of the original S.C. 277 northbound bridge over I-77, SCDOT officials said in a news release. A new S.C. 277 northbound bridge was built and opened to traffic in mid-September, SCDOT said.
The demolition was originally scheduled to happen last weekend, but was postponed after SCDOT reviewed potential traffic impacts from the University of South Carolina’s first home football game of the year.
Now the work has been rescheduled to begin on Friday and continue through Sunday, according to the release.
Even though detours will be put in place on Interstate 77, traffic jams and delays are predicted in the Columbia area, according to the release.
Lane closures and detours from Percival Road (mile marker 15) to Killian Road (mile marker 22) will be in effect Friday at 6 p.m., and stay in place through Sunday night, according to the release.
Additionally, both directions of I-77 will be shut down for a 1.2 mile stretch from the Two Notch Road interchange to the S.C. 277 exit, SCDOT said.
The worst congestion is expected Saturday afternoon along northbound I-77 in the Percival Road area, with backups as far as the Decker Boulevard interchange or beyond, according to the release.
SCDOT is warning drivers to plan for delays and avoid the area if possible.
Residents in that area are being told that the demolition of the bridge will cause increased noise and vibrations, according to the release. Sound monitoring equipment has been installed around the site to maintain allowable noise levels, SCDOT said.
Excavators and other heavy equipment will be used to demolish the bridge, but explosives will not be used, according to the release.
South Carolina Highway Patrol, the Columbia Police Department, and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department will help with traffic control and keep the public away from the demolition site, SCDOT said.
Drivers traveling near or through work zones are asked to use caution and be aware of equipment and crews, in order to “Let ‘em Work. Let ‘em Live,” SCDOT said.
Lane closure and detour schedule
▪ I-77 southbound lane closures will begin at 6 p.m. Friday starting at Killian Road (mile marker 22). By 11 p.m., I-77 southbound traffic will be detoured onto S.C. 277 southbound to Fontaine Road, northbound S.C. 277, eastbound I-20 to I-77.
▪ I-77 northbound lane closures will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday starting at Percival Road (mile marker 15). By 11 p.m., I-77 northbound traffic will be detoured onto I-20 westbound, S.C. 277 southbound to Fontaine Road, northbound S.C. 277 to I-77.
▪ Traffic on Two Notch Road will have access to I-77 only via the southbound on-ramp. The northbound on-ramp to I-77 will be closed at Two Notch Road.
SOURCE: SCDOT
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This story was originally published September 24, 2020 at 1:24 PM.
