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Carolina Crossroads

Carolina Crossroads

Project Phases

At a Glance

Phases 1 and 2 of the Carolina Crossroads Project are expected to be substantially complete in 2025. Phases 3A and 3B will continue into 2026. Phase 3C is in pre-construction.

Learn more about each phase below and view the final design layout.

Overview and Activities

  • Created a new full access interchange at I-126 and Colonial Life Boulevard.
  • Removed the Bush River Road interchange at I-26.
  • Lengthened the I-26 eastbound exit ramp to US 378/Sunset Boulevard.

Benefits

  • Improves traffic flow and safety by limiting weaving actions needed to access I-26 westbound and I-26 eastbound between I-20 and I-126.
  • Provides ramps and mainline improvements to meet current design standards including minimum curve radii, shoulder widths, acceleration and deceleration lane lengths.
  • Provides adequate storage for queues (backup) at Exit 110 off-ramp so that mainline I-26 lanes are not blocked.
A map highlighting Phase 1 of the Carolina Crossroads project, showing I 26 and I 126 near Colonial Life Boulevard. The map marks interchange improvements, relocated interchanges, and other interchanges along major roads including Broad River Road, St. Andrews Road, Bush River Road, Piney Grove Road, and US 378. Phase 1 routes are shown in bright pink along I 26/I 126 and Colonial Life Boulevard, labeled as under construction with completion in 2025.
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View the Phase 1 Virtual Meeting

Overview and Activities

  • Improved the Broad River Road interchange at I-20.
  • Removed the shared ramp with Garner Lane.
  • Widening of I-20 and prepare for additional improvements in later phases.

Benefits

  • Makes it easier for drivers to access I-20.
  • Removes the shared ramp with Garner Lane to simplify interstate ramp and reduce conflict points.
  • Provides adequate storage for queues (backup) from the I-20 westbound to I-26 westbound ramp so that mainline I-20 lanes are not blocked.

Timeline

  • Work will be completed in 2025.

Work Hours

  • Most of the work is being conducted during daytime hours.
  • Work is being completed in segments allowing new lanes to be opened in phases.
  • Nighttime or off-peak lane closures are being utilized.
A map highlighting Phase 2 of the Carolina Crossroads project, showing I 20 improvements at Broad River Road. The Phase 2 area is marked in green along I 20, including interchange improvements at Broad River Road and nearby connections to I 26 and I 126. Symbols identify interchange improvements, relocated interchanges, and other interchanges. Major roads labeled include St. Andrews Road, Bush River Road, and Piney Grove Road. Phase 2 is noted as under construction with completion in 2025.
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View the Phase 2 Virtual Meeting

Overview and Activities

  • Utilities and frontage road relocations.

Benefits

  • Prepares project area for interstate and interchange improvements.
  • Isolates timely third-party utility relocations from interstate work and reduces project risks.

Timeline

  • Utility coordination work began in 2024, and the frontage road relocations are scheduled to begin in 2026.
A map highlighting Phase 3A of the Carolina Crossroads project, showing utility and frontage road relocation areas along I -126 and I -26. The Phase 3A limits are shown in orange, with symbols identifying interchange improvements, relocated interchanges, and other interchanges. Major roads labeled include Colonial Life Boulevard, Greystone Boulevard, Bush River Road, and St. Andrews Road. The map indicates that Phase 3A activities focus on frontage road relocations needed to support later construction phases.
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Overview and Activities

  • Clearing and grubbing approximately 170 acres across the I-20/I-26, St. Andrews Road/I-26, and Bush River Road/I-20 interchanges.

Benefits

  • Allows for the advancement of critical utility relocations for upcoming phases within the I-20 and I-26 interchange area.
  • Enhances safety and visibility for drivers.

Timeline

  • Work is underway and is anticipated to end in 2026.

Work Hours

  • Majority of the work will take place during daytime hours (9 am - 5 pm).
  • Occasional temporary lane closures may occur during nighttime operations.
  • Daily traffic control will occur on the frontage roads during work in proximity to frontage roads. Flaggers will be used to create single lane roads.
A map highlighting Phase 3B of the Carolina Crossroads project, showing clearing and grubbing limits along I 20 and I 26, including the areas surrounding the St. Andrews Road and Bush River Road interchanges. Phase 3B areas are marked in teal, with symbols identifying interchange improvements, relocated interchanges, and other interchanges. The map includes major routes such as Broad River Road, Bush River Road, and Piney Grove Road. The map indicates this work is early stage site preparation for future roadway improvements.
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Overview and Activities

  • Replacement of the I-20 bridges over Saluda River and CSX railroad.
  • Widening I-20 to accommodate future lane additions in later phases.
  • Does not include replacement of Bush River Road at I-20 interchange.

Benefits

  • Prepares project area to tie-in with future phases.
  • Provides bridges that meet current design standards.

Timeline

  • Construction has begun and is anticipated to be completed in 2029.
A map highlighting Phase 3C of the Carolina Crossroads project, showing the I 20 widening area between Bush River Road and US 378. The Phase 3C limits are shown in green along I 20, with symbols marking interchange improvements, relocated interchanges, and other interchanges. Major roads labeled include Bush River Road, St. Andrews Road, and US 378. The map indicates that Phase 3C focuses on widening I 20 to improve capacity in this segment.
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View the Phase 3C Virtual Meeting

Overview and Activities

  • Replacement of I-26 bridges over the Saluda River and CSX railroad.
  • Replacement of the I-126 westbound to the I-26 eastbound bridge.
  • Widening of I-26 to accommodate lane additions in future phases.
  • Construction of an I-26 bridge over realigned I-126.
  • Extension of the I-26 westbound collector-distributor road.

Benefits

  • Provides bridges that meet current design standards.

Timeline

  • Construction is anticipated to begin in 2027.
A map highlighting Phase 3D of the Carolina Crossroads project, showing improvement areas along I 26 and I 126. The Phase 3D limits are displayed in purple, covering portions of both interstates. Symbols identify interchange improvements, relocated interchanges, and other interchanges. The map indicates that Phase 3D includes interchange improvements.
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Overview and Activities

  • Reconstruct the I-20/I-26 interchange.
  • Complete widening of I-20 between Phases 2 and 3C.
  • Complete widening of I-26 between Phases 4&5 and Phase 3D.
  • Reconstruct St. Andrews Road at the I-26 interchange.
  • Reconstruct Bush River Road at the I-20 interchange.

Benefits

  • Rebuilding the I-20/I-26 interchange to limit the weaving actions needed to access I-20 and I-26 mainlines, improve operations, increase capacity, and improve safety.
  • Improvements to St. Andrews Road at I-26 and Bush River Road at I-20 will improve operations, increase capacity, and improve safety for drivers and pedestrians.
  • Improvements will bring the corridor up to current design standards.

Timeline

  • Construction is anticipated to begin in 2030.
A map highlighting Phase 3E of the Carolina Crossroads project, showing major reconstruction areas for the I 20/I 26 system to system interchange, widening of I 20 and I 26, and reconstruction of the St. Andrews Road and Bush River Road interchanges. The Phase 3E limits appear in light green, with symbols marking interchange improvements, relocated interchanges, and other interchanges. Major roads labeled include Bush River Road, St. Andrews Road, Broad River Road, and I 126 connections. The map indicates this phase contains some of the most significant interchange and widening work of the program.
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Overview and Activities

  • Reconstruction of the I-26/Harbison Boulevard interchange.
  • Widening of I-26 east of Piney Grove Road to west of Exit 101.
  • Relocation of frontage roads and utilities.

Benefits

  • Rebuilding the I-26/Harbison Boulevard interchange will increase capacity, improve operations and safety.
  • Widening I-26 will increase capacity, improve operations and safety.
  • Relocating frontage roads and utilities to support roadway improvements.

Timeline

  • Construction is anticipated to begin in 2027.
A map highlighting Phases 4 and 5 of the Carolina Crossroads project, showing widening areas along I 26. The Phase 4/5 limits are shown in blue, with symbols identifying interchange improvements, relocated interchanges, and other interchanges. Major routes labeled include US 378, Piney Grove Road, St. Andrews Road, and I 20 connections. The map indicates these phases will complete the final widening and operational improvements along the I 26 corridor.
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