SCDOT Midlands Connection

The Midlands Connection Project will improve a 16-mile segment of the Interstate 26 roadway system that stretches from Exit 85 in Little Mountain to Exit 101 in Irmo. The Midlands Connection Project will widen the I-26 roadway, modify three interchanges, and replace seven overpass bridges along the Interstate 26 travel corridor. The primary purpose of this project is to provide more capacity and allow vehicles using this section of I-26 to travel more freely with less congestion when the project is completed and into the future. This project has been designed with the South Carolina Department of Transportation’s highest priority in mind. Safety and enhancing safety is our number one job.

Construction is scheduled to begin in Spring of 2020 with an anticipated completion date in December 2024.

There are a few places to get construction updates for the project:

1. Sign up for My511SC to get email or text alerts about construction updates and traffic conditions in the Midlands Connection Project corridor.
2. Check our project website on the Construction Updates page.
3. Check our project Twitter for traffic and detour updates at SCDOT Midlands Connection @scdot26midlands.

This project went through the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. A NEPA document is required for projects using federal funds. This process provides for informed decision-making, including partners in the process, and considering a wide variety of factors. The NEPA process is essentially an information-gathering and planning tool that is used in the federal decision-making process to better understand the potential impacts of a proposed project on the natural and human environment.

A variety of environmental factors are considered throughout the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process to understand the potential impacts of the project on the natural and human environment. Some of these factors included land use, cultural resources, air quality, natural resources, etc.

The NEPA process identified no significant impacts and the Federal Highway Administration issued a ‘Finding of No Significant Impacts’ (FONSI) and Record of Decision for the Midlands Connection Project to move forward into final design and construction.

No new entrance and exit ramps will be added to I-26 between MM 101 and 85 with this interstate widening project. You can find additional information on the roadway widening, overpass bridge replacement, interchange improvements, weigh station enhancements and noise barriers on the ‘About’ page by hovering your mouse over the tabs below the map.