[Spartan]

SC would never build from Greenville to Augusta. Given the Upstate's large manufacturing base, a direct link to a competing port in another state would not be something that SC would support.

[Metroinspect.]

Who all think that I-14 should be approved, because it is giving my hometown Warner Robins an freeway that actually going into the city limits, and might help build up the new downtown better, so my vote is I-14 approved far as I-3, I don't know

[Spartan]

I-14 is a great idea. I don't understand why it hasn't been built already.

[roads-scholar]

Spartan, on May 26 2005, 12:41 AM, said:

SC would never build from Greenville to Augusta. Given the Upstate's large manufacturing base, a direct link to a competing port in another state would not be something that SC would support.

16397"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I believe what you will see is the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) continue to improve US-25 between Greenville and Augusta. I don't see an interstate anytime in the future but the final two-lane gaps that exist will be widened and bypasses constructed and improved. For instance, Greenwood's bypass is a major commercial corridor. US-25 could be constructed around Greenwood in the form of a limited access freeway or an expressway with a few at-grade intersections. Likewise, a bypass around the small city of Edgefield would quicken the pace of traffic too.

[dromulus]

i think the savannah, augusta, greenville, hendersonville combo would be the best. i know that georgia wants to try and keep what they can in ga, but the population masses would benefit from the most common sense routing. if it were to go through ne georgia, it would benefit those towns tremendously, but skip the major travel corridors. originally the interstate was to facilitate millitary travel, but the civilians have taken them over. which is more important nowadays?

[ATLman1]

I see I-14 happening but not I-3

[ironchapman]

I-14 is the only one I see becoming a reality.

In truth, I see I-3 as more of a waste of time...for now. When the population grows in the area it would cover, then it might become a little more useful.

[FlaNatv]

If I-26 went farther north through eastern KY into OH to Columbus and then to Detroit it would make a good alternate to I-75. As for I-3 it could start around Brunswick, GA and basically follow US-25 to Hendersonville, NC and I-26. That route would be more direct from S FL to the OH and MI than I-75. It would also help avoid Atlanta(a big slowdown).

[DaGABoyStinger]

I have to admit, I am a bit worried about what two more interstates will do to the AUG. We will have just as many different Interstates as ATL, with a perimeter to match. And BTW, I done some map studies of the area, and since I'm from Augusta South, I pretty much know it's development patterns fairly well. Which brings to me this question. Even if we do get these two interstates, How do they plan to intersect them with Bobby Jones (I-520)? And without going through neighborhoods or disrupting already settled highways? And another thing. How in the world are they going to take I-3 PAST where I-520 ends through I-20 and through Evans and Martinez. They sure can't extend it through the jungles of developement and traffic in that part of town. And what about inside Bobby Jones? will the central city and downtown still be shut off from connectable freeway access?

Don't get me wrong, the idea is great, and in fact I think it is absolutely necessary for us to connect to other cities. My concern is just for feasibility of placement once you get to the Augusta area. I don't think our development patterns (especially in South Augusta) have prepared us for such an addition. And anyone knows, a REAL interstate can potentially cover a huge area, unlike other highways. I'm not expecting answers to these questions from anybody, just something to ponder, but feel free to speculate.

[Spartan]

The new interstates will have to go through existing neighbohoods unless they want to bypass Augusta completely. And when this happens you can bet they it will go through a poor part of town.

When reading the history of interstates in various parts of the country, you learn that people are not really a concern of the planners of these things. They just build them, and the people adjust accordingly.

IMO I-14 seems most feasable. You could follow US-1 and end it at 520, thus removing the need to remove older neigborhoods inside of 520.

[Topher1]

I truly believe that if either of these interstates come to Augusta, they will follow the alignment of I-520 through town as a dual-designation. The approach to 520 from the west and south is still sparse enough where it can be done with minimal disturbance. As DaGaBoy said, its the northern part of I-3 that would cause the problem. If SC was willing to take on a portion of the interstate, it would be simple to extend it part of the way up the US 25 corridor at the I-520 terminus at I-20. But if the project stays in GA, there will be some angry WASPS in Columbia County. There really aren't many poor areas to route a highway through Columbia County, so this is bound to cause some contraversy.

[ironchapman]

That's how a lot of cities do it, isn't it?

Isn't that the same as the 75-85 connector in Downtown ATL?

This post has been edited by ironchapman: 13 June 2005 - 09:17 AM

[Topher1]

Yes, its fairly common. For another example there's the section where 40 and 85 piggyback in North Carolina. I think there's also examples (can't think of any off the top of my head) where a new 2-digit interstate will swallow up an entire 3-digit interstate, although there's really no way for this to happen in this case. I was just trying to show that Augusta has the infrastructure to support a new interstate through town without having to destroy additional neighborhoods.

[SCGuy]

Could they not split I-3 from I-520 at the I-20 Interchange? Sure it would have to disrupt some of Columbia Counties wealthy neighborhoods but if they kept it going west enough it wouldnt be that bad. They are already buying up lots of land around the I-520, I-20 Interchange...The old Microtel suites, that Palm Tree nursery and the Sam's Club will most likely move further South near the Sheraton hotel.

[BoDragon]

I'm aware that the 20/520 interchange is being rebuilt with two new flyovers - one for 520 westbound to 20 westbound, the other for 20 westbound to 520 eastbound.

Speaking of 520, does anyone know of a site that has any photos of 520 intersecting 20 in South Carolina?

[Spartan]

It doesnt go that far yet. I am fairly certain that it is planned to come in around Belvedere though.

[Topher1]

^ That's correct. The current alignment (which isn't finalized) has 520 bypassing most of N. Augusta to the east (through Belvedere) and piggybacking US 25 for the last short stretch. I think the interchange will remain at Exit 5, and just be an interchange for I-520/US-25.

There is currently some development on 25 at the I-20 exit, but most of it is on the north side of I-20 and won't be affected by the interchange.

[Topher1]

Here's the proposed route for phase II of I-520. The parkway is already completed from the GA border to US1. And the construction funding was approved for this segment in March.



http://www.scdot.org...=Aiken&id=27912

And the Google Maps aerial of the current intersection.

This post has been edited by Topher1: 12 July 2005 - 07:50 AM

[BoDragon]

It will be interesting to see how the 20/520/25 interchange is rebuilt or relocated eastward a couple miles. I may assume a flyover from 20 westbound to 520 westbound is certain, but I will wait and see for a flyover from 520 eastbound to 20 westbound.

Any chance they will extend the Palmetto Parkway northward of 20 up towards Edgefield and Greenwood anytime soon? I doubt it would be an interstate highway, but just enough for US 25 to become a limited access highway.

[Topher1]

Doubtful. I would love to see that, but don't expect it to happen, unless Edgefield Co. really starts to boom. US-25 is a 2 lane road just north of I-20, and doesn't have anywhere near the traffic to warrant even 4 laning yet. What I think will happen, is the intersection will start to look like the Bobby Jones/520/20 intersection in Augusta, where as soon as the interstate ends (crosses 20), the horrendous, tacky, sprawl begins, as well as the traffic congestion. Of course they'll want a highway then, but it'll be too late...