SCDOT seeks input on I-95 widening project

JASPER COUNTY, S.C. (WTOC) - The South Carolina Department of Transportation held an open house in Jasper County Thursday night to get public input on major changes planned for Interstate 95.

The biggest change is the addition of a third lane to help with heavy traffic. I-95 is a busy road, with more than 50,000 people passing through this section daily.

So this open house was an important step to getting this plan finalized.

“This is a huge important part of this project for us,” said Hannah Robinson, media relations manager of SCDOT.

The department wants to add a third lane from mile marker 8 to mile marker 21 in Jasper County to help with traffic flow and prevent bottlenecking. But that’s not all.

There will be changes to on and off ramps as well as bridges for both cars and pedestrians. Thursday’s open house was about hearing from the public.

“It’s absolutely critical to us that we get feedback from the public before we actually go into final design and construction of a project,” Robinson said.

Most of the people who attended the event said they had questions, including business owners who feared their work would be impacted by the changes.

“I’m generally impressed by the SCDOT’s plan here today,” said Barry Malthrus, owner of an outdoor advertising company. “I came with questions in my mind, he was actually able to answer them without much problem so I’m not as concerned about it as I once was.”

It wasn’t just Barry. Everyone said by the end of their time at the open house, their questions were answered.

“It’s very interactive, it’s very—you know, getting these people who are driving through this area daily, getting them involved in the project itself,” Robinson said.

The open house ended with a final presentation, and people were given the option to discuss comments in a group setting. Robinson says the public’s voice has changed things in the past.

“I’ve seen it before, if something is overwhelmingly positive or negative in one light, we will change things,” she said.

“This is the kind of thing that SCDOT should be doing more often,” Malthrus added.

There are concerns about 65 wetlands that will be affected by this project as well as 15 farms. SCDOT said they work with federal and state agencies to mitigate the effects.

If you have a concern or question regarding the I-95 project, SCDOT is taking public comment until October 2.