COLUMBIA (WACH) -- If you don't know that “malfunction junction” is the nickname for the interchange at Interstate 26 and Interstate 20, then maybe you're familiar with the traffic backups in this area.
“It is very difficult to travel over there because you have cars merging on and cars merging off,” says motorist Ronald Gandy.
The SCDOT estimates that 100,000 cars travel on I-26 each week, and with more than 30 conflict points within two miles on this stretch of roadway, travel can be a challenge.
“At peak hour, it is basically 20 mph or less,” says SCDOT engineer Ron Patton. “If we are able to redesign those interchanges it would not be that slow.”
According to Patton, officials are considering adding new lanes to I-26 between St. Andrews Road and Broad River Road, as well as designating the inside lane near "malfunction junction" as an express route.
“I have lived in some big city areas and I have seen where it really makes a difference,” says motorist Monica Edwards.
Don't expect crews to be tearing up the roadways anytime soon.
Patton adds the SCDOT only recently got the green light on $8.5 million to fund the design, which could take up to two years to create.
The SCDOT is asking for your thoughts on the project.
You can comment online or find other places and methods to voice your opinion about these projects on the Department of Transportation website. There, you can also read the full text for each proposal.
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