News Summary
Columbia will experience significant traffic disruptions starting Wednesday due to the closure of Claudia Drive for a water main installation. The closure will extend from Parklane Road to Windale Drive, and motorists are advised to follow detours. Additionally, the city is addressing a sinkhole on Interstate 26 that is causing traffic to be reduced to one lane. Updates on both projects will be provided as they progress, and residents are encouraged to contact the Customer Care Center for more information.
Columbia will experience significant traffic disruptions starting Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. due to the closure of Claudia Drive for the installation of a 6-inch water main. The closure will extend from Parklane Road to Windale Drive and will remain in effect until the project is completed, as confirmed by Columbia Water. Motorists in the area are advised to follow detour signs and plan alternate routes to avoid delays.
The city has acknowledged the inconvenience the closure may cause to residents and thanked them for their patience as vital infrastructure improvements take place. Individuals seeking further information about the project or wishing to sign up for local alerts can contact the City of Columbia Customer Care Center at 803-545-3300. Columbia Water will provide updates regarding the progress of the water main installation throughout the duration of the closure.
In addition to the water main installation project, the city is currently addressing another significant traffic issue caused by a sinkhole on Interstate 26 in Calhoun County. On May 8, 2025, a sinkhole appeared in the eastbound lanes near mile marker 121, which led to the closure of several lanes heading toward Columbia. The sinkhole was attributed to a drainage issue, resulting in traffic being reduced to one lane.
Traffic backups from this incident extended approximately 10 to 12 miles toward Columbia, causing frustration and delays for many drivers. Temporary repairs were executed, allowing the lanes to reopen just before midnight after being closed for some time. The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) referred to the situation as “emergency maintenance.” Although lanes have reopened, further permanent repairs are necessary; however, no specific timeline has been provided for when these repairs will take place.
These transportation issues are part of broader infrastructure developments and challenges occurring in the Columbia area. Such projects are essential for maintaining the integrity and reliability of public utilities and roadways. The water main installation aims to ensure a consistent and safe water supply to residents, while the sinkhole repair is critical for roadway safety and traffic flow.
Drivers are encouraged to remain patient and attentive to official announcements as construction and maintenance efforts continue in and around Columbia. Residents are reminded to utilize local resources for updates, including the Columbia Water’s progress reports and it’s Customer Care Center for any inquiries and concerns related to ongoing infrastructure work.
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Additional Resources
- WACH: Temporary Road Closure in Columbia
- WLTX: Sinkhole Causes Traffic Delays on I-26
- Post and Courier: Sinkhole Causes I-26 Traffic Issues
- Wikipedia: Columbia
- Google Search: Columbia traffic news
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
