Lexington County Proposes New I-20 Exit to Alleviate Traffic

News Summary

Lexington County officials are proposing a new exit off Interstate 20 at Calks Ferry Road to ease traffic congestion close to Exit 51 at Longs Pond Road. The initiative aims to improve traffic flow in the area, providing a shorter route for drivers. The community has shown strong support for the project, which has already secured $1 million for its engineering phase. Local councilman Darrell Hudson believes this new exit could significantly reduce commuting stress for residents. A timeline for completion is expected within 10 years, pending necessary approvals.

Lexington County Looks to Ease Traffic Woes with New I-20 Exit

Exciting news is buzzing around Lexington County! Local officials are proposing a new exit off Interstate 20 at Calks Ferry Road, and it’s set to change the driving game for many folks in the area. With traffic congestion becoming more of an everyday headache, especially near Exit 51 at Longs Pond Road, residents are hoping this project brings some relief.

What’s the Big Idea?

This new proposed exit is all about improving traffic flow in a spot that has been crying out for a change. The plan aims to give drivers a new option, providing a quicker route to the interstate. Just a hop, skip, and jump from Longs Pond Road, the new exit would be only six minutes away, making it a convenient alternative for those pesky traffic jams.

Backing from the Community

Councilman Darrell Hudson is one of the main champions of this proposal, and he insists that it’s about time. He has received plenty of positive feedback from the community who have expressed their frustrations with the traffic situation over the years. The sentiment seems to be that this exit is more than just an idea; it’s a much-needed change that could revolutionize the daily commute for many.

A Financial Commitment

So far, the county has already put $1 million on the table to cover the engineering phase of the project. This includes spending nearly $995,000 on consulting to conduct a traffic study and to draft necessary designs. There is still some unknowns regarding the total cost, but Hudson is determined to see the project through to approval.

How Will it Help?

Local residents are showing their enthusiastic support for the planned exit. One concerned parent pointed out that it could relieve heavy traffic, especially near schools during drop-off and pick-up times. Another resident shared their frustration about the constant struggle of choosing between different traffic jams, underlining that a new exit could lessen commuting stress significantly.

The Timeline and Next Steps

While everyone is excited, there’s a lot of groundwork to be done before any construction can start. The county will have to finalize the design and the project’s cost, and they must also complete a traffic analysis and create an Interchange Justification Report for the Federal Highway Administration before they can break new ground.

Hudson acknowledges that setting a timeline for completion is tricky but hopes for meaningful progress within the next 10 years or less. The average daily traffic along that stretch of I-20 saw approximately 48,400 cars bustling through in 2023, according to the state Department of Transportation. With the area around the proposed interchange addition near Red Bank growing considerably—adding about 2,500 people in just over a decade—the demand for better traffic options rings loud and clear.

Community Support and Local Governance

On March 11, the county council gave an enthusiastic thumbs up to approve the engineering contract. This vote marked a significant milestone in a project that’s been brewing for about eight years. Lexington County residents are hopeful that this new interstate exit will not only ease their daily commutes but also enhance the overall quality of life in the community.

All in all, it seems like there’s a silver lining on the horizon for Lexington County drivers. With the promise of a new exit off I-20, it’s easy to feel optimistic about the future of traffic in this bustling region.

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Additional Resources

• WLTX: Proposed I-20 Exit in Lexington County
• The State: Local News on Lexington
• LEX18: Traffic Update on I-64
• Kentucky.com: Local Traffic News
• Kentucky.com: Fayette County News
• Wikipedia: Lexington, South Carolina
• Google Search: Traffic News Lexington
• Google Scholar: Traffic Congestion Solutions
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Traffic
• Google News: Lexington Traffic