News Summary
Lexington County officials are considering a new interchange on I-20 at Calks Ferry Road to tackle increasing traffic congestion. Funded by a legislative earmark, a feasibility study is currently underway, assessing environmental impacts and surrounding properties. Community feedback is mixed; while some residents support the initiative aimed at improving traffic flow, others are concerned about property impacts and the interchange’s location. The county council has approved funding for the study, which is crucial for future traffic management and infrastructure development in the area as the population continues to grow.
Lexington, South Carolina – Lexington County officials are exploring the potential for a new interchange on Interstate 20 at Calks Ferry Road in response to increasing traffic congestion. This initiative involves a feasibility study funded by a legislative earmark that allows surveyors to assess properties surrounding the proposed interchange, aiming to enhance traffic flow and safety in the area.
The study comes as Longs Pond Road has been marked by heavy traffic, especially at the intersection with Two Notch Road. Residents are advocating for measures to alleviate the congestion that has accompanied the growth of the community. According to Brent Hyatt, the Director of Public Works for Lexington County, the anticipated interchange is expected to significantly improve traffic conditions around Lexington, particularly on Highway One west of Lexington and along Longs Pond Road.
As part of the feasibility study, surveying work has commenced, which includes delineating wetlands and marking streams to understand the environmental impact of the proposed project. The South Carolina Eminent Domain Procedure Act enables county representatives to access private properties for this purpose; however, it does not indicate an immediate plan for seizing property. Under the Fifth Amendment, property owners will be entitled to fair market compensation should land acquisition become necessary.
Despite the promising outlook suggested by officials, it is important to note that the project is still in its nascent stages. If the study yields positive results, the county will still need to secure federal funding before any property can be acquired and construction can begin.
Community support for the new exit has been met with some apprehension. Residents such as Jayne Seboe welcome the proposal but are worried about the potential impact on their own properties if acquisitions are required. Additionally, some community members have voiced concerns about the chosen location for the exit, proposing alternative sites that may better serve the needs of local residents.
The Calks Ferry Road interchange proposal fits into a larger strategy to manage traffic in Red Bank, which has experienced significant growth—approximately 2,500 new residents over the past decade. This rising population has heightened the need for efficient traffic management and infrastructure improvements across the county.
The Lexington County Council has unanimously approved an engineering contract for the interchange study, committing nearly $1 million for the essential traffic analysis and design. This preliminary engineering phase is crucial for the development of an Interchange Justification Report, a document required by the Federal Highway Administration prior to the commencement of any construction work.
Traffic data supports the need for such infrastructure improvements; in 2023, the stretch of Interstate 20 from the Longs Pond Road exit to S.C. 6 recorded an average daily vehicle count of 48,400. This increasing volume underscores the pressing demand for solutions that can alleviate gridlock and improve transportation safety in Lexington County.
As officials move forward with the feasibility study, the project represents a proactive approach to addressing the growing transportation challenges facing the region while also considering the concerns and needs of local residents.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- WLTX
- Lexington Chronicle
- The State
- Google Search: Lexington County interchange traffic
- ABC Columbia
- Wikipedia: Lexington, South Carolina
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.
