Slow Down, Move Over, and Stay Safe:
SCDOT’s Reminder for the Holiday Season
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As the holiday season approaches, SCDOT reminds drivers to stay alert as shorter days and changing weather make travel more challenging. Crews and contractors continue essential overnight work across the state, improving roads and bridges while traffic is lighter.
Drivers are urged to slow down in work zones, obey the Move Over Law, and share the road with pedestrians and cyclists. Before traveling, plan routes with the 511 SC app and check vehicle safety. SCDOT thanks its employees and the public for working together to keep South Carolina’s roads safe this holiday season.
| | New I-77 Interchange Supports Scout and Future Economic Growth in Blythewood | | |
Construction is underway on a new interchange along I-77 in Blythewood to support the future SCOUT Motors Manufacturing Plant. SCDOT is managing the design-build portion of the interchange and construction of a new railroad bridge that will provide direct rail access to the facility. The 1.3-million-square-foot plant is expected to create thousands of jobs and drive significant economic growth in the area.
Portions of the project are set to open in 2026, with full completion anticipated by mid-2027. This project is paving the way for safer, more efficient travel and long-term growth in South Carolina.
| | New T-Intersection at SC 185 and SC 28 in Anderson County | | |
Crews began working in September to enhance safety and traffic flow at the busy intersection of SC 28 and SC 185 in Anderson County. The route is being transformed into a T-intersection, which allows for continuous travel along SC 28 while directing the traffic on SC 185 with a new stop sign.
A dedicated turn lane for westbound drivers heading toward Abbeville also helps ease congestion during peak hours. With traffic volumes expected to rise nearly 50% over the next two decades, these upgrades will help reduce crashes and improve mobility for thousands of daily travelers. The new intersection is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
| | Improving Safety on US 25 in Greenville County | | |
A major safety overhaul is underway along a 13-mile stretch of US 25 in Greenville County. The project is a part of the SCDOT Rural Road Safety Program, which is a statewide initiative that aims to reduce roadway departure crashes.
Crews are currently installing median barrier walls and drainage systems before moving on to final resurfacing and bridge repairs near the midpoint of the project. Once complete, the corridor will feature wider clear zones, upgraded guardrails, and new barrier walls to prevent vehicles from crossing into oncoming lanes.
The entire project is expected to wrap up by spring 2026, enhancing safety for drivers and helping reduce serious accidents on rural South Carolina roads.
| | SCDOT Paving Projects Bring Smoother, Safer Roads to Cherokee County | | |
Cherokee County is seeing smoother routes thanks to new paving from SCDOT. Crews have been working on four routes in the county that serve as vital connections in the community.
The work includes full-depth reconstruction and fresh asphalt to create smoother rides and stronger roadways.
Together, these projects strengthen road foundations, improve ride quality, and enhance safety, keeping Cherokee County and South Carolina moving forward.
| | Fred Nash Boulevard and US 17 Getting Wider, Safer Lanes in Horry County | | |
The Fred Nash Boulevard extension project spans roughly a mile and a half. Crews have repaved and widened the roadway to include a new center turn lane, while also expanding sidewalks to improve pedestrian safety. These enhancements extend all the way to Harrelson Boulevard, improving connectivity and providing a smoother route to Myrtle Beach International Airport.
Running parallel to Fred Nash Boulevard, the U.S. 17 widening project will expand the highway from four to six lanes, three in each direction. Turn lanes will be added where needed, and a concrete barrier wall will divide northbound and southbound traffic. Crews are currently installing storm drainage within the existing grass median as part of this work.
| | Rural Road Safety Program improves US 321 in Jasper County | | |
Jasper County residents now have a safer drive on a newly completed section of US 321 heading north out of Hardeeville, SC. The project, photographed here in late September, involved widening and significant safety upgrades to more than 10 miles of the route.
This work was part of the SCDOT's Rural Road Safety Program, which aims to significantly improve safety on South Carolina's most hazardous rural roads. The upgrades to this section of the roadway were substantial, including road widening and clear zone improvements, as well as the installation of guardrails and rumble strips.
Clear zone is the area immediately off the side of the road that has been cleared and graded. This extra space allows drivers more time to correct the direction of their vehicle if they run off the road.
| | New Ditching Equipment Makes Roadside Maintenance Safer and More Efficient | | |
SCDOT crews work year-round to keep roadside ditches clear and functioning properly. These open channels play a vital role in protecting the integrity of South Carolina’s roadways.
Traditionally, crews will use a motor grader to clear a ditch, going over the same area multiple times to get the job done. Now, crews in District 7 and several districts across the state are using a ditching ball to help make the ditching process easier.
As the machine moves along, the ditching ball helps maintain a consistent depth and smooth slope, improving water flow and reducing erosion.
SCDOT now has 37 ditching ball machines in use across the state, helping crews complete more miles in less time while enhancing safety. With this tool, employees no longer need to stand in ditches or risk equipment rollovers during the cleaning process.
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Building on Solid Ground:
Geotechnical Engineer Nick Harman Shares Insights on His Career and Certification
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This month, Geotechnical Engineer Nick Harman gives us an overview of his career at SCDOT, his recent board certification by the American Society of Civil Engineers, and how the geotechnical process behind projects ensures that road infrastructure across the state can remain supported by soil and rock materials.
He offers advice to engineers looking to expand their knowledge in their specialties, and how the Geotechnical Design Manual has influenced the process of geotechnical engineering beyond the DOT level and into the private sector.
| | Once a quiet coastal road, Coleman Boulevard—seen here in 1959—has transformed into one of Charleston County’s most traveled corridors. Today, this stretch of SC 703 moves more than 30,000 vehicles each day and serves as Mount Pleasant’s Main Street, bustling with life and energy. From the historic charm of Patriot’s Point, where visitors come from across the nation, to the endless lineup of local shops and restaurants, Coleman Boulevard stands as a vibrant gateway to everything that makes Mount Pleasant special. | | |
SCDOT’s State Highway Emergency Program (SHEP) helps keep South Carolina’s highways safe and traffic moving. SHEP responders assist drivers during crashes, breakdowns, or other roadway incidents by providing traffic control, clearing debris, and offering assistance to stranded motorists.
To contact SHEP, dial *HP (*47), and a responder will be dispatched to assist you. Their quick response reduces congestion, prevents secondary crashes, and helps keep everyone safe on the roads.
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SCDOT would like to congratulate two new department directors:
Sam Pridgen, P.E.
Director of Engineering Support
Ashleigh Sandel, C.P.M.
Director of Safety and Health
| | Pictured above: SCDOT successfully hosted IHEEP (International Highway Engineering Exchange Program) for the first time in South Carolina. The conference took place in Myrtle Beach, with more than 800 people from around the world in attendance. Thank you to all the SCDOT employees who made this conference possible. | | | | | |
