Overpass Nears Completion

Steamrollers made their final passes on one segment of the overpass at Johnnie Dodds Boulevard and Bowman Road on Wednesday.

Today, crews will lay the first layers of asphalt on the overpass, according to Steve Thigpen, the county project manager overseeing the first three miles of roadwork from the Ravenel Bridge to Interstate 526.

The five-lane overpass is the key improvement in the $68 million overhaul of Highway 17. Once open, the overpass should alleviate congestion during peak travel times because motorists won't have to stop at the busy intersection. Currently, all traffic is essentially traveling on what will be the exit lanes for the overpass.

In addition to the three-mile project from the Ravenel Bridge to I-526, there is another project underway to widen Bowman Road to two lanes. That $12 million project has been delayed by contractual issues associated with a bridge over Shem Creek.

Crews also are working on an overpass at Highway 17 and Hungryneck Boulevard. This $26.7 million project also is widening Highway 17 to six lanes from the Wando Crossing Shopping Center to the new interchange.

A fourth project with $29 million in costs will widen Highway 17 from the Isle of Palms Connector to Darrell Creek Trail. That project is ongoing.

When complete, Highway 17 will be six lanes from the Cooper River to Darrell Creek Trail.

Work on the first segment of highway improvements should be complete before January 2013, according to the current schedule. Town leaders, however, have said the project is currently ahead of schedule.