Interstate Angioplasty
In case you missed the latest press stunt by a certain evolutionary-challenged Upstate S.C. Senator, one of South Carolina’s key transportation arteries will be blocked off for eight months beginning in January 2010.
That’s right, people. The economic juggernaut that is the Palmetto State could very well grind to a halt …
Obviously we’re kidding … about both the “juggernaut” and the “grinding,” but we’re not kidding about the fact that a fifteen-mile stretch of Interstate 385 will be “going dark” beginning on January 4.
And yes, we’re fishing for a politically-correct rebuke with the whole “going dark” thing.
Anyway, drivers will either have to take a seemingly interminable detour or actually get off of the Interstate in a rural part of South Carolina – where there’s a fifty-fifty chance someone might challenge you to a banjo duel or exhort you to “squeal like a pig.”
Interstate 385 is a 42-mile stretch of road that runs from Clinton S.C. (where it intersects I-26) and downtown Greenville, S.C. It apparently needs to be resurfaced and have six bridges replaced, which we learned from a spiffy “I-385 Rehab Project” website created by the S.C. Department of Transportation.
The project will cost $45 million.
In fairness to DOT, I-385 is one of the worst maintained roads in the state, which is pretty pathetic when you think about it.
Seriously, we fund everything under the sun in South Carolina – Confederate submarines, balloon festivals, empty college “research” campuses – and yet we can’t keep one of our major Interstate thoroughfares paved?
Once again … way to go, South Carolina.
Comments
By Toyota Kawaski on September 29th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Once again fits speaks out his blow hole.Kind of hard to pave under traffic Steven Hawkins.Besides DOT rules call for night paving on most interstate projects.Its called the blue book get one and you will be informed much better.Until then stick to middle school political rumors and shemales.
By shaggy on September 29th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
hey dumb ass. Its Steven Hawking not “Hawkins” and I’d be surprised you could read this alleged blue book if it were full of she males if you were riding in on a confederate submarine repeating middle school political rumors.
By Somebody on September 29th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
They’re only closing 14 miles of it, and only the northbound lanes, with four figure daily penalties for every day they are late in reopening it.
That highway dates back to the 1950’s and they won’t just be repaving it. They will be tearing it up and replacing it from scratch with a concrete freeway surface, but since it is so narrow with just two lanes, they can’t shift traffic over while working.
SCDOT mismanages a lot of projects, but this time, they’re doing what has to be done, no matter how many votes Thomas is trying to milk this for. I bet he tried to shake down the contractor for campaign donations and they turned him down. What do you think?
By John Boy on September 29th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
Fits, the photo you’re showing is 85 southbound as it approaches 385. Maybe you already knew that?
By Roadway to Carolina Hell on September 29th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
It seems to me that 385 and the portion of 85 around Greenville has been under some sort of construction for 20+ years now. Makes me wonder what will they need to work on when this project is done.
If the DOT could do jobs right the first time…
By CNSYD on September 29th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
Unfortunately most DOT projects are done with the short term in mind. What can we spend the least amount of money on now and we will worry about it being inadequate in the future (probably after we are retired). What stretch of interstate in SC is more dumb than I-126 into Columbia. Before millions were spent to improve it, it was the only place in America where you had to get off the interstate to continue on the interstate. Why was/is it this way? Story is that it was designed by Paul Cobb who lived in the St. Andrews area and he wanted a straight shot in and out from downtown. Its only money.
By Strom's Daughter on September 29th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Just be happy we have these federal socialist interstates.
Half this state is still waiting for somebody to invent toilet paper.
By Calhoun Fawls on September 30th, 2009 at 1:05 am
Don’t forget a Wal-Mart distribution center is on this stretch of highway.
By RHETTBUTLER on September 30th, 2009 at 3:57 am
I resent your statement about the rural area surrounding this proposed construction. I live there and we would never challenge lost motorists to a banjo duel or to make assorted farm animal sounds……unless of course they refuse to stop at our boiled peanut and pork skin stands at every corner and strip mall or speed quickly by the “Hot Doughnuts Now” signs…then it is open season so get your bow and arrow ready!
By Toyota Kawaski on September 30th, 2009 at 8:12 am
shaggy you make me proud love mom/cousin
By Darth on September 30th, 2009 at 9:59 am
So this is shovel ready squealing Ned Beatty stimulus pork? Shouldn’t this be an endardorectomy under Obamacare?
By StupidShouldHurtMore (SSHM) on September 30th, 2009 at 10:05 am
Is it just me, or did Sen David Thomas look like a Sea Turtle in that WYFF-4 video?
Senator David “Angry Sea Turtle” Thomas
http://www.wyff4.com/video/21123546/
Maybe Pixar can hire him for a Finding Nemo sequel. Maybe FITS could have a Photoshop contest . . .
- SSHM
By SS Minnow on September 30th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
You should also mention that there are cameras with radars being put up all over the state to catch speeders. They will promptly mail you a ticket. One I know of is by exit 97 off I-26.
By Angioplasty on October 26th, 2009 at 9:12 am
It seems to me that 385 and left portion of 85 around Greenville will not finish to soon