Funding for interchange on I-20 at Louisville Road part of state transportation earmarks

Editor's note: This story has been updated to include additional information regarding cost and construction timeline.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp recently announced that he and the state Legislature plan to allocate $1.5 million in surplus state funds to go toward construction of a new interchange on I-20 at Louisville Road in Columbia County.

The project comes after population rose more than 310% since 1990, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation. The new interchange should prevent the existing interchanges from failing, which is predicted over the next 10 to 20 years.

The interchange scouting project is estimated to cost $4 million, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation's website . The proposed fiscal year for funding is 2026.

GDOT representatives said Monday it is too soon to predict the impact to traffic and details on construction activity for the project , but promised to keep media informed as the project comes closer to fruition. They did not confirm the total estimated cost.

Columbia County Commissioner Alison Couch wrote in a social media post on May 30 that said the project is currently in the concept phase, which includes studying topography, utility placement, potential property acquisitions, environmental concerns and costs, according to the post.

She wrote that the project is estimated to cost $170 million and only $4 million was funded, leaving an additional $166 million in funding to be secured, according to the post. She confirmed the timeline is at 15 years out.

In 2006, The Chronicle reported the Louisville Road interchange was part of the Augusta Regional Transportation Study's 25-year plan, which is a wish list of DOT projects.

Aiken death investigation: Aiken man found fatally shot near abandoned car

The local funding is part of a one-time $1.5 billion investment of surplus funds in transportation infrastructure across Georgia, doubling the state’s funding to cities and counties for local transportation projects. The allocation will raise spending DOT's capital construction program by 58%, according to reporting from Capitol Beat.

"Over the last few years, we've welcomed unprecedented job creation to all regions of the Peach State, and this funding will ensure our already reliable infrastructure network can meet the needs of that incredible growth," noted Kemp in a news release. "In the months and years ahead, hardworking Georgians will see further improvements to the roads and bridges they drive each day."

Other projects earmarked for a chunk of that funding include the widening of Interstate 16 in Chatham and Effingham counties, expanding the toll lanes along I-75 south of Atlanta and resurfacing state highways across Georgia, noted Capitol Beat.

For more information on the $1.5 billion investment in Georgia’s transportation infrastructure and individual projects, visit GDOT's web page at https://ssf-gdot.hub.arcgis.com .

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Funding for interchange on I-20 at Louisville Road part of state transportation earmarks