I-20 widening project in Richland County delayed

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The widening of Interstate 20 in northeast Richland County has been delayed to tweak the contract proposal.

The South Carolina Department of Transportation announced Friday the 7-mile widening and resurfacing project will not be offered for bid in mid-September as planned.

The agency says it needs time to change the contract documents to accommodate suggestions contractors made at a pre-bid meeting.

Agency spokesman Pete Poore says the change is a good thing because the suggestions will save money and time and lessen detours.

The agency expects to put the project up for bid in December. Construction should begin in spring 2012.

The project will increase the number of lanes from four lanes to six from Interstate 77 to Exit 82 in Elgin.