80 replies to this topic

[teshadoh]

^  I would definitely support eliminating freeway cloverleafs.  They were cute back in the 1950's, but having to navigate on them on my vacation a few weeks ago in SC gave me a panic attack.  There should not be any cloverleaf intersections left on freeways, at least in populated areas.

Otherwise, I-26 through Irmo & up to I-20 might benefit from parrallel roads, considering the amount of development along 26 around Irmo.  I know it's kind of a sprawly thing, but it surprisingly works well in many Dallas suburbs.

Edited by teshadoh, 22 September 2008 - 10:41 PM.

[BrasilnSC]

The plans I saw were a SCDOT visualization that was imported into Google Earth.  After searching for a while, I was able to find the images I had saved   .  Again, this was a very preliminary visualization and is not part of any actual concrete plan.

(Edit:  It'll make more sense if I start from the West)

I-26 heading east just past Piney Grove.



St. Andrews Rd Interchange


I-26 @ I-20 Interchange.  


Stretch between Bush River Rd and I-20.  Notice the separate parallel outside lanes.


I-126 and I-26 interchange along with Bush River Rd interchange.


Heading into Columbia, I-126 on the right and I-26 on the left after the split.

Edited by BrasilnSC, 23 September 2008 - 07:17 AM.

[Spartan]

Excellent. Thanks for posting that. Obviously a preliminary concept, but that's something more along the lines of what I was thinking about. That arrangement makes it possible to merge from 26 to 20 without crossing the paths of people merging from 20 to 26.

[scnative]

BrasilnSC, on Sep 23 2008, 09:11 AM, said:

The plans I saw were a SCDOT visualization that was imported into Google Earth.  After searching for a while, I was able to find the images I had saved   .  Again, this was a very preliminary visualization and is not part of any actual concrete plan.

Thanks!  This is what I have been hunting for a long time.  It surely helps to see it instead of people in the past explaining what they have heard.  This is many years in the making already.

I have no idea what proposal will make it to the final plan but this one surely looks good.  The the huge issues are the possible annexation and/or purchasing of land and the cost factor.  Once businesses and residents on both sides of the interstate finally agree to the terms to use their land and move the frontage roads then maybe we can see this take shape.  From the projects that I am aware of and the ones proposed I have to say this is the most needed change.  I may be biased since it I travel this all the time but it seems critical to the expansion of Columbia and the safety of people.

I would think my plan I proposed would be far less expensive but I am not a civil engineer either so I may not even solve many problems!  I do agree clovers need to go away in that area and if the land can be acquired then the parallel side roads are the best. That plan BrasilnSC found is impressive.  Wish it was in pdf to be able to zoom in for more detail.

Thanks again for sharing!

[growingup15]

BrasilnSC, on Sep 23 2008, 08:11 AM, said:

The plans I saw were a SCDOT visualization that was imported into Google Earth. After searching for a while, I was able to find the images I had saved . Again, this was a very preliminary visualization and is not part of any actual concrete plan.

(Edit: It'll make more sense if I start from the West)

I-26 heading east just past Piney Grove.



St. Andrews Rd Interchange


I-26 @ I-20 Interchange.


Stretch between Bush River Rd and I-20. Notice the separate parallel outside lanes.


I-126 and I-26 interchange along with Bush River Rd interchange.


Heading into Columbia, I-126 on the right and I-26 on the left after the split.

wow this looks really nice i really think this project will benefit for columbia commuters and also i hope it reduced traffic.

[Spartan]

It won't reduce traffic, but it will probably reduce traffic congestion

[growingup15]

Spartan, on Feb 7 2009, 12:51 PM, said:

It won't reduce traffic, but it will probably reduce traffic congestion

What we really need is a highway loop and i have an idea im going to present to the mayor when i have my meeting with him again. i hope it works out.

[Spartan]

You mean like the loop that is formed by 26, 20, and 77?

[BrasilnSC]

Columbia does not need another "loop", the I-20, 26, 77 loop serves the city well.....you can get anywhere in 20 minutes or less.

[krazeeboi]

^Correct. That's one thing that SCDOT has gotten right.

[growingup15]

BrasilnSC, on Feb 9 2009, 09:13 AM, said:

Columbia does not need another "loop", the I-20, 26, 77 loop serves the city well.....you can get anywhere in 20 minutes or less.

I understand and your right but you have to live in downtow to understand the only way to get rid of traffic on regular roads is to open to freeway that loops the city. So instead of traffic keep stopping at every light they can keep going all the way threw town. and at the same time get a good scenic route.

I already talked to the mayor about this idea and he said that this idea could work and will help with traffic.

[Spartan]

You can't get rid of traffic downtown because downtown is the destination people are driving to.

[scnative]

The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) is seeking  comment from the public on an I-26 express lane/widening project in  Richland/Lexington Counties.  Here is our chance to have our say in what to do to fix or modify 'malfunction junction'.

Click here to visit SCDOT site to add your comments.

[Hybrid0NE]

Spartan, on 07 February 2009 - 11:51 AM, said:

It won't reduce traffic, but it will probably reduce traffic congestion

Yes; if anyone is familiar with Atlanta's 285, you probably know it was intended to be a bypass loop but ultimately got overrun by suburban sprawl and edge-cities. In it's current state it's used primarily by local traffic and Georgia even proposed an even more far-flung loop for thru-traffic that never materialized.

I think, Columbia is fine with it's "unofficial loop." If, local traffic ever gets to a point where it's oversaturating that system; then maybe a Toll loop or something could be effective for lessening the burden.

Edited by Hybrid0NE, 28 January 2011 - 02:15 PM.

[growingup15]

Hybrid0NE, on 28 January 2011 - 02:14 PM, said:

Yes; if anyone is familiar with Atlanta's 285, you probably know it was intended to be a bypass loop but ultimately got overrun by suburban sprawl and edge-cities. In it's current state it's used primarily by local traffic and Georgia even proposed an even more far-flung loop for thru-traffic that never materialized.

I think, Columbia is fine with it's "unofficial loop." If, local traffic ever gets to a point where it's oversaturating that system; then maybe a Toll loop or something could be effective for lessening the burden.

But why wait until the traffic gets to a exploding point in columbia when we can solve the problem now before it comes. I know alot of people see this as far fetch. but i think planning in advance instead of waiting like most cities did is a better idea.

[Spartan]

Hybrid0NE, on 28 January 2011 - 02:14 PM, said:

Yes; if anyone is familiar with Atlanta's 285, you probably know it was intended to be a bypass loop but ultimately got overrun by suburban sprawl and edge-cities. In it's current state it's used primarily by local traffic and Georgia even proposed an even more far-flung loop for thru-traffic that never materialized.

I think, Columbia is fine with it's "unofficial loop." If, local traffic ever gets to a point where it's oversaturating that system; then maybe a Toll loop or something could be effective for lessening the burden.

That's not really in context with the discussion at that time. This interchange project is a needed improvement, primarily for safety reasons. Traffic congestion is inevitable in any successful city.

[growingup15]

Fixing Malfunction Junction.

State road planners are eyeing Columbia’s spaghetti-like tangle of interstates — especially the notorious Malfunction Junction — for a $400-plus million overhaul.

Because of funding woes, lack of approved designs and other uncertainties, the project is still in the idea phase. No construction is planned any time soon. But state officials are now ranking an overhaul of Malfunction Junction at the top of their “to do” list.

Edited by growingup15, 05 February 2011 - 05:59 PM.

[Spartan]

There's still that little project called "I-526" in Charleston...

[waverider]

According to The State this morning, up to $8.5 million is now available to begin preliminary engineering studies for Malfunction Junction.  This is a good step, but still a far cry from the estimated $400 million it will take to actually construct the redesign.

[growingup15]

The S.C. Department of Transportation has scheduled a public hearing for July 21 concerning a proposed widening and rehabilitation project for Interstate 26 in Lexington and Calhoun counties.

the hearing will take place from 5-7 p.m. in the Grace Chapel, 633 Dixiana Road in West Columbia.

The meeting is meant to allow citizens to review and discuss one-on-one with government representatives the preliminary plans for the I-26 project, which runs from mile marker 115 in West Columbia to mile marker 136 in Calhoun County........

Edited by growingup15, 21 July 2011 - 04:53 PM.