PortAccessRoadProjectNovember2017Update

Whencompleted, thePortAccessRoadwillconnect I-26to theSCPortsAuthority’snewHughK.Leatherman, Sr.Terminal inNorthCharlestonwithtwoinboundandtwooutboundlanesforallport-relatedtraffic.ThenewfullydirectionalinterchangewillalsoservelocalandcommercialvehicleswithaBainbridgeAvenueconnectorroad, an extension of Stromboli Avenue, associated improvementstolocalstreets,andimprovedI-26/MeetingStreetaccessramps.BainbridgeAvenueConnectorAway from the sight of the traveling public, clear-ing andgrubbingisunderwayforthenewBainbridgeAvenueconnectorroad. Traveling over marshlands and Shipyard Creek, asegmentofthisnewconnectorroadwillbebuiltona”flatslab”bridgetoprotecttheenvironmentandavoidflooding.WorkingaroundKingandMeetingStreetsWorking around existing roadways is one of the biggestchallenges when constructing new exit ramps. The fullydirectional Port Access Road interchange will have ramps toand from I-26 eastbound and westbound. These multi-storyrampswill not only connect to I-26, butwill also flyoverKingandMeetingStreets.Tofacilitatetheconstructionofthesenewramps,KingStreetExtensionhasbeenclosedbetweenDischerandHackmann.

On Monday, November 20th,eastbound traffic on NorthMeeting Street, betweenComstock and KingsworthAvenues, will be moved tocreate two way traffic withinthetwowestboundlanes. ThemovementofwestboundNorthMeeting Street is necessary toplace drainage and constructearthwork for the new I26ramps to and from MeetingStreet.Starting the last week ofNovember, the intersection ofAustin & Summerille AvenueswillbeclosedforafewweekstoconstructthePortAccessRoadrampontoI-26Eastbound.

Formoreprojectinformation,pleasecontactTheSCDOTPortAccessRoadProjectOfficeat843-580-8801scportaccessroad@gmail.com-www.SCPortAccessRoad.com

AfinishedconcretepilecapwillultimatelysupportthebridgedeckforthenewBainbridgeConnector.

Asofthispublication,45columnshavebeenconstructedfortheproject’srampsandmainline.Inthispicture,concreteisdroppedfromabucketintoatremietofillthecolumnformaroundthesteelreinforcingcage.

At9.5feetindiameter,thisdrilledshaftcasingisbiggerthanajeepandafootandahalfsmallerthanthelargestcasingonthisproject.