News Summary
The Lexington Town Council has approved a major roadwork project to realign Corley Mill Road, improving traffic flow on Sunset Boulevard. Dubbed the Sunset Split, this project will add a second roadway and enhance the intersection to better accommodate local traffic. With a budget increase to approximately $3.143 million, funding will come from hospitality tax revenues and Tax Increment Financing. The project is expected to start in early 2027, following necessary environmental assessments and investigations.
Lexington – The Lexington Town Council has approved a significant roadwork project that will realign Corley Mill Road to accommodate changes to traffic flow on Sunset Boulevard. This development, referred to as the Sunset Split, aims to improve traffic routing near Interstate 20 and will have implications for local traffic patterns starting in early 2027.
Following a council vote, the project will entail the addition of a second roadway on Sunset Boulevard, extending the realignment of Corley Mill Road an additional 750 feet towards River Bluff High School and nearby residential developments along the Saluda River. The alteration will enable a three-lane configuration to better match the road design of new neighborhoods that have recently emerged in the area.
The project budget is slated for an increase of $243,211, raising the total to approximately $3.143 million. Funding for this initiative will primarily originate from hospitality tax revenues and Tax Increment Financing (TIF). Furthermore, an additional $36,700 in hospitality tax funding will be necessary to purchase six tracts of land to facilitate right-of-way adjustments.
Environmental assessments, as well as pavement and geotechnical investigations, will be conducted ahead of the road widening efforts. The current traffic data highlights the necessity for these enhancements, with a recorded 33,800 vehicles traversing Sunset Boulevard at its intersection with Corley Mill and Interstate 20, while 14,200 vehicles utilize Corley Mill at its junction with Sunset Boulevard.
The redesigned traffic flow will divert vehicles around the TD Bank building, establishing a new road that connects to Sunset Boulevard across from Honda of Columbia. The town’s modifications to the original plan were prompted by recommendations from the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT), necessitating compliance with certain design specifications.
Concerns have been raised regarding potential impacts on local businesses, particularly related to billboards affected by the realignment project. Property owners will be contacted to address any changes to their properties as a result of the realignment.
The initial proposal for the intersection redesign was put forward in 2020, but the plans have evolved over the years due to a reallocation of state funds that were initially designated for a contentious conference center and resort at Lake Murray, which faced opposition from the community.
Currently, the project is anticipated to commence in early 2027, with estimates suggesting a completion timeline of 18 to 24 months. The undertaking is expected to improve traffic conditions in the rapidly developing area, reinforcing the town’s commitment to enhancing infrastructure as local growth continues.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
South Carolina Proposes Relief for Businesses Affected by Hardscrabble Road Construction
Forts Pond Road Closed in Lexington County Due to Dam Washout
Overnight Lane Closures Announced for Carolina Crossroads Project
Traffic Alert Issued for Sunset Boulevard in Lexington
Columbia Approves 214 Townhome Development
New Legislation Aims to Support Small Businesses Impacted by Road Construction
Lexington County Explores New I-20 Interchange to Alleviate Traffic
Columbia to Open New Whataburger Location This Summer
Circle K Opening New Location in Lexington County
Whataburger Opens New Location in Lexington, SC
Additional Resources
- The State: Traffic News
- Wikipedia: Traffic
- WLTX: Motorcycle Crash Report
- Google Search: Motorcycle Crashes in Lexington
- Burn City Sports: Rising vs Lexington
- Google Scholar: Traffic Accidents in Lexington
- Cola Daily: Motorcyclist Killed Report
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Traffic Safety
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.
