Malfunction Junction in SC is getting a major overhaul. Here’s what to know
The notorious Columbia-area interchange where I-20, I-26 and I-126 meet ranks among the most dangerous stretches of road in the Midlands. A multibillion-dollar redesign called Carolina Crossroads is now reshaping the corridor in phases — and changes are already affecting how drivers move through the area.
Here are key takeaways:
- The Carolina Crossroads project is designed to save commuters an estimated 112 hours annually that would otherwise be spent stuck in traffic, the South Carolina Department of Transportation says.
- Three of the five most dangerous intersections in Lexington County sit at Malfunction Junction, where I-20, I-26 and I-126 meet, with more than 8,000 traffic collisions reported countywide in 2023.
- Two of the five most dangerous intersections in Richland County are also located at Malfunction Junction, and the county logged 12,450 accidents in 2023 — the third-highest total in the state.
- The Broad River Road interchange over I-20 was rebuilt with an unconventional offset design that removes certain left-turn movements to cut down on severe crashes.
- The full Carolina Crossroads project, which includes four phases, began in November 2021 and carries a price tag of $1.7 billion.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.
Javon L. Harris
The State