Reduced Wait Time on Tap for 'Stoplight from Hell'

S.C. Department of Transportation has shared more information about its safety project at the intersection of U.S. 176 and U.S. 52 — which has been colloquially called the Stoplight from Hell for its long wait time.

The project is only in the preliminary phase but an SCDOT engineer said it will reduce wait times at the light. Right of ways have yet to be acquired, but the first hurdle was passed last week after Goose Creek City Council unanimously voted to allow the project in the city limits. 

While most SCDOT projects require public workshops, because the project falls under "safety improvements," no public workshops are needed, according to Safety Projects Engineer Keith Riddle.

Here are the main priorities of the safety improvements: 

• Install a traffic signal at Red Bank Road and Wisteria Road
• Widen U.S. 176 and add a through (straight) lane on eastbound U.S. 176 to improve the operation of the intersection
• Resurface the intersection and the approaches with new asphalt

Before this project gets underway, there will be a separate project coming in the next few months that will add a left turn lane on southbound U.S. 52 and will resurface a stretch of U.S. 52 through the intersection, according to Riddle.