Freeway Systems (Columbia: 2015, houses, employment)

[Carolina Knight]

Originally Posted by Mutiny77

It's supposed to be a joint GA/SC port right?

Yes, it is.

[Carolina Knight]

Originally Posted by ColaClemsonFan11

I think that rather than all new freeways, we enhance the major highways we have to be limited access like they have in several spots through out NC.

One in particular that I think should be limited access is 25 from Cherrydale to the state line. Crossing into NC, 25 is no different than being on an interstate and I think making the road limited access would allow for people to travel between Greenville and Asheville much easier.

It would also be nice if Wade Hampton Blvd. could somehow take on more of a limited access form as well. This is more difficult and most likely not at all feasible but if it looked more like Hwy 17 in Mt Pleasant or even 17 Bypass in Myrtle Beach between downtown and Greer, it would greatly be improved and thus improve 85 as well.

If nothing else, they should at least re-configure the intersection of Wade Hampton and Pleasantburg with ramps and overhead signage. That is the most ridiculously designed interchange I have ever seen.

There was a proposal in the 1960's or 1970's for a limited access highway from Interstate 385 at present day Haywood Road to Wade Hampton Boulevard at present day North Pleasantburg Drive. I do not know if the idea included an extension along North Pleasantburg Drive and Poinsett Highway to Travelers Rest.

[IsNull]

Originally Posted by Ledmonkey

So widening 78? The most troublesome issue is see there is that where 78 splits off to Augusta from Charleston is basically entirely swamp and making a connection with 26 would be very expensive. Also if they have any intention of doing that they'd need to formalize plans before they widen 26 to 3 lanes I imagine.

Make Ridgeville Road or Beidler Forest Rd the connector from 26.

[WhitewaterVol]

Originally Posted by ColaClemsonFan11

I think that rather than all new freeways, we enhance the major highways we have to be limited access like they have in several spots through out NC.

One in particular that I think should be limited access is 25 from Cherrydale to the state line. Crossing into NC, 25 is no different than being on an interstate and I think making the road limited access would allow for people to travel between Greenville and Asheville much easier.

It would also be nice if Wade Hampton Blvd. could somehow take on more of a limited access form as well. This is more difficult and most likely not at all feasible but if it looked more like Hwy 17 in Mt Pleasant or even 17 Bypass in Myrtle Beach between downtown and Greer, it would greatly be improved and thus improve 85 as well.

If nothing else, they should at least re-configure the intersection of Wade Hampton and Pleasantburg with ramps and overhead signage. That is the most ridiculously designed interchange I have ever seen.

Reducing access from businesses, reducing and/or eliminating left hand turns, turning high traffic flow intersections into interchanges, and other things can be done to enhance roads without taking them all the way to interstate level roads. I like the idea of differentiating expressways from freeways where expressways work to limit strategically limit access and improve flow at a lower cost.

[Woodlands]

I would love to see the following game changers for the Midlands


A northern connector from I-26 to I-77 and on to I-20 through north Richland County. Could help reduce traffic on malfunction junction in addition to help northern Richland with transportation and possibly even assist southern Fairfield County


A connector between I-20 and I-77 through the western empire that also connects with CAE. Providing a direct limited access freeway to CAE would improve airport access..


Final pipe dream would be to convert 378 into a limited access freeway between Columbia and Sumter. This could improve the connection between both Metros and likely Spur (to use your words Brandon) development between the two cities. An alternate route could be from I-20 to 521 as well. Unfortunately "the swamp" has killed most of any opportunity for growth between Sumter and Columbia. A Sumter to Columbia growth connection would likely occur up 521 via Camden and that has its own logistical and political challenges.. It is tiring try to speed up and get ahead of the cotton truck or the just slow enough to cram your speed but still too fast to pass semi truck.... before the road narrows to two single lanes when traveling 521 and your stuck behind for miles....SMH

[Dalzelldragon]

Originally Posted by Woodlands

I would love to see the following game changers for the Midlands


A northern connector from I-26 to I-77 and on to I-20 through north Richland County. Could help reduce traffic on malfunction junction in addition to help northern Richland with transportation and possibly even assist southern Fairfield County


A connector between I-20 and I-77 through the western empire that also connects with CAE. Providing a direct limited access freeway to CAE would improve airport access..


Final pipe dream would be to convert 378 into a limited access freeway between Columbia and Sumter. This could improve the connection between both Metros and likely Spur (to use your words Brandon) development between the two cities. An alternate route could be from I-20 to 521 as well. Unfortunately "the swamp" has killed most of any opportunity for growth between Sumter and Columbia. A Sumter to Columbia growth connection would likely occur up 521 via Camden and that has its own logistical and political challenges.. It is tiring try to speed up and get ahead of the cotton truck or the just slow enough to cram your speed but still too fast to pass semi truck.... before the road narrows to two single lanes when traveling 521 and your stuck behind for miles....SMH

Try having a clear road ahead of you but that silver dodge charger is lurking in your rearview. LoL

During the morning rush passing is near impossible till you get to the I20 interchange.

I never understood why a second direct route between Cola and Sumter never came to be. On google maps you can see the route of the missing rd between Wedgefield and Eastover. In other metros like Atlanta smaller towns/communities grew together along their web of roads and highways.

[Woodlands]

Originally Posted by Dalzelldragon

Try having a clear road ahead of you but that silver dodge charger is lurking in your rearview. LoL

During the morning rush passing is near impossible till you get to the I20 interchange.

I never understood why a second direct route between Cola and Sumter never came to be. On google maps you can see the route of the missing rd between Wedgefield and Eastover. In other metros like Atlanta smaller towns/communities grew together along their web of roads and highways.

Yeah those dodge chargers are a pain....lol. I remember when troopers used to drive mustangs back in the late 80s early 90s(?). Some guy in front of me started to pass a truck on 521 and the line changed to solid. He plowed ahead...I saw his break lights come on then he gunned it and cut over causing the truck in front of me to break hard. As I came around the corner I saw a state troopers mustang that was coming in the opposite direction sliding over into the grass in what amounted to a controlled crash on the shoulder .

I watched in my rear view as he sat there for a minute apparently getting himself together. Then his car sprung to life ....lite up like a xmas tree spun around in rage as grass and dirt flew from his tires and sped up passed me the truck and walked the offender down lol I bet he emptied that ticket book on that guy

[BrandonCoombes]

I’m just thankful that most of Metro Columbia’s interstates are at least three lanes, and soon will all be three to 8 lanes wide. Distributor lanes count, right? Lol (The relative soon btw).

[Woodlands]

Originally Posted by BrandonCoombes

I’m just thankful that most of Metro Columbia’s interstates are at least three lanes, and soon will all be three to 8 lanes wide. Distributor lanes count, right? Lol (The relative soon btw).

yes.. that is one of the few things planners got right along with our version of the capital beltway.. I couldn't imagine if they hadn't built I-77 connection (SE expressway) between I-20 and I-26.. traffic along 20 and 26 would be a nightmare...I recall when they built it..people were scratching their heads and wondering why.. No one is questioning it now.


The only missed opportunity in my book was the 277 to I-126 connection. I know some folks in Elmwood Park are grateful that is wasn't built... but I think it could have been done in a manner that wouldn't have been disruptive to the neighborhood.. You can look at some of the intown neighborhoods in Atlanta and see where below grade highways or even elevated ones skirt some of the nicest areas in town without disrupting them.. noise barriers have public art incorporated into them or simply allowing vegetation to grow on them.....This would allow traffic to enter the CBD along Bull Street and Huger Streets. I don't think there was an exit planned at that time for Main Street because of space limitations

[BrandonCoombes]

Originally Posted by Woodlands

yes.. that is one of the few things planners got right along with our version of the capital beltway.. I couldn't imagine if they hadn't built I-77 connection (SE expressway) between I-20 and I-26.. traffic along 20 and 26 would be a nightmare...I recall when they built it..people were scratching their heads and wondering why.. No one is questioning it now.


The only missed opportunity in my book was the 277 to I-126 connection. I know some folks in Elmwood Park are grateful that is wasn't built... but I think it could have been done in a manner that wouldn't have been disruptive to the neighborhood.. You can look at some of the intown neighborhoods in Atlanta and see where below grade highways or even elevated ones skirt some of the nicest areas in town without disrupting them.. noise barriers have public art incorporated into them or simply allowing vegetation to grow on them.....This would allow traffic to enter the CBD along Bull Street and Huger Streets. I don't think there was an exit planned at that time for Main Street because of space limitations

I agree, I think it would’ve been good for downtown. I still think if the federal government would just go ahead and classify 277 as a spur at the least it would further help development along the poorer and more rundown parts of North/Northeast Columbia. An exit for Huger, one for Assembly, another for Main, and a last one for Bull Street and Harden Street Ext.