The Carolina Crossroads project to untangle “Malfunction Junction” hit a new milestone recently.

The project, which is set to reshape the conglomerated Columbia interchange between Interstate 26, Interstate 20 and Interstate 126 that is often a source of delays and frustration for local motorists, has opened a new exit lane ahead of schedule.

“Motorists traveling along Interstate 20 westbound from Broad River Road may notice a new exit lane for traffic leading toward I-26 westbound,” the state Department of Transportation notes in a release. “The new lane provides an additional 1,500 feet for vehicles to travel through the interchange and helps decrease traffic congestion for drivers continuing west on I-20.”

The release notes that the lane, part of the second phase of the project, was completed in 546 days when 560 were allotted, with Brian Klauk, SCDOT’s project manager for Carolina Crossroads, being quoted as saying the additional lane should help streamline traffic flow during peak hours.

“We understand the frustration that can come with congested roadways and with long-term construction projects,” Klauk said. “Our goal from the start was to implement a phased construction approach that would allow the traveling public to enjoy incremental improvements throughout the duration of the project. The early opening of the I-20 auxiliary lane exemplifies the positive impact that this strategy can have on drivers.”

The release notes that the project, which started in 2022, is “anticipated to reach significant completion in early 2025,” in line with the projection listed for Phase 2 on the Carolina Crossroads website. The current phase is set to:

• Improve the Broad River Road interchange at I-20 to make it easier to get on and off the interstate.
• Remove the shared ramp with Garner Lane Road to eliminate possible wrong-way driving out eastbound entrance ramp to I-20.
• Improve I-20 westbound’s access to I-26 westbound in order to minimize congestion from vehicles changing interstates.

The coming Phase 3, anticipated to start next year, will see the most significant work to replace the existing loops of the I-20/I-26 interchange with a turbine interchange to separate exiting traffic from the interstate. Contractor procurement for the final two phases, set to widen I-26 and improve interchanges heading toward Irmo, has not yet begun.

Completion of the entire project is anticipated by 2029.

Carolina Crossroads also recently started a months-long closure of a street that runs along I-126, as Arrowwood Road between Lawand Drive and Gracern Road is set to be shutdown from May 22 to 7 a.m on Aug. 14.

The detour route takes motorists along Colonial Life Boulevard and Bush River Road, with signs posted directing them where to go.