Irmo faces tree loss from I-26 interchange work. Here’s what to know
Planned roadwork at the Interstate 26 and Broad River Road interchange could strip Irmo of municipal trees and landscaping. Under the agreement approved Tuesday, the town — not the state — would be responsible for replacing them.
FULL STORY: Interstate work will tear down Midlands town’s landscaping, trees, DOT warns
Here are key takeaways:
• Irmo Town Council approved an agreement with the S.C. Department of Transportation on April 21 to cooperate on roadwork at the I-26 interchange with Broad River Road, with improvements planned to start in 2027.
• Trees in the greenspace around the on and off ramps, plus a line of trees along the interstate near Columbiana Drive, are likely to be removed during construction, according to documents presented to council.
• Under DOT’s standard encroachment permit, replacing any removed landscaping falls on the town, project director Brad Reynolds told council. State law required DOT to seek a municipal agreement because the work falls within Irmo’s town limits.
• Reynolds said DOT has confirmed no town utilities are in the area, so local utility customers would not be affected by the road work.
• The Broad River interchange is the westernmost piece of the Carolina Crossroads project — aimed at easing congestion at the I-20/I-26 junction known as “Malfunction Junction” — which also includes improvements at Lake Murray Boulevard, Harbison Boulevard, Piney Grove Road and St. Andrews Road. Full completion is expected by 2034.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The full story in the link at top was reported, written and edited entirely by journalists.
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