UPDATE:

According to SCDOT, crews will not shut down I26 to work on the Port Access Roadway Project Monday night, due to the emergency closure of the Wando bridge on I526.

On Tuesday, they will watch the weather and traffic to determine if they will shut it down.

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ORIGINAL RELEASE:

Lane closures will impact traffic on Interstate 26 near downtown Charleston through Wednesday.  

Construction crews plan to install steel girders on the new ramp from I-26 to Meeting Street.

According to a news release, the work, originally scheduled last week, was delayed due to “unforseen circumstances” surrounding the complex nighttime operation.

The South Carolina Department of Transportation and its contractor reevaluated the operation before setting a new timeline.

The girder installation will take place over several nights because of the complicated nature of the work.  

Daniel Burton, SCDOT Resident Construction Engineer, says the girders are six-feet tall and range from 99 to 194 feet in length.  Each section weighs between 14 and 18 tons.

Lane Closures and Detour Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday: May 14 – 16

I-26 Westbound, between Exit 219 (Mount Pleasant St.) and Exit 216 (Cosgrove Ave.)

  • Single and then dual lane closures to begin at 7 pm.
  • All closures will be cleared by 6 am the next morning.
I-26 Eastbound, between Exit 216B (Cosgrove Ave.) and Exit 220 (Cypress Ave.)
  • Single, and then dual, lane closures to begin at 7 pm.
  • Full detour to begin at 11 pm, see below for detour route.
  • All closures and detours will be cleared by 5 am the next morning.
To access downtown Charleston from I-26 Eastbound, drivers are encouraged to exit I-26 at Cosgrove Avenue (Exit 216B) until it ends at Spruill Avenue, right onto Spruill to Meeting into the city. Signs will be in place to direct motorists.
 
To access US 17 North to Mount Pleasant from I-26 Eastbound, drivers are encouraged to exit I-26 at Cosgrove Avenue (Exit 216B) until it ends; take a right onto Spruill Avenue to Meeting Street and then left onto US 17 North. Signs will be in place to direct motorists.
 
To access US 17 South to the western side of the Peninsula and West Ashley, drivers are encouraged to exit I-26 at Cosgrove Avenue (Exit 216B) until it ends; take a right onto Spruill Avenue to Meeting and then follow the signs to US 17 S turning right onto Cypress Street and then left onto I-26 Eastbound to US 17 South. Signs will be in place to direct motorists.
 
Look for barricades, cones, signs and flashing arrows in the Work Zone. Please use caution while driving through the area, or consider utilizing alternate routes.