DOT Proposing Widening Key Sections of Interstate 26

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — The Department of Transportation is proposing a $725 million plan to widen two key stretches of Interstate 26 in South Carolina.

Local media outlets report that one project proposes spending more than $480 million to widen 6 miles of the interstate in Charleston and North Charleston. That stretch is already six lanes and the proposal calls for making it eight lanes.

The plan also proposes widening 16 miles of the expressway northwest of Columbia between Richland and Newberry counties.

DOT deputy secretary Ron Patton says the goal is to add the projects to the state’s interstate program and get federal money that would cover 80 to 90 percent of the cost.

The projects could take six years for design, planning and construction.