I-20 construction at the state line nearing the end

AUGUSTA, Ga (WJBF)- For four years, crews worked to widen and replace the old bridges on I-20 over the Augusta Canal and the Savannah River.

This construction has been frustrating for drivers since it started in December 2019, but they may not have to deal with it much longer.

The project, a collaboration between the Georgia Department of Transportation and the South Carolina Department of Transportation, widens the road between Riverwatch Parkway and West Martintown Road on both sides, from 2 lanes to 3.

All of the major pavement work, bridge construction and barrier placement on the Georgia side of the project are complete. Now the focus is shifting to completing the work across the river.

“The main area of focus the next few weeks to get all lanes open to traffic, is going to be on the South Carolina side. Running from that South Carolina welcome center area, West Martintown Road that includes the pavement, the barrier wall and just finalizing all the various items, including striping and overhead signage. That’s kind of a big push with the goal being to get those new lanes open to traffic by early October,” explained Kyle Collins, GDOT’s Communications Manager.

While GDOT hopes to have all lanes open by October, there is still some work left to be done.

“Even when we get all the lanes open, there will still be some, what we call ‘punch list’ work to do to finish things up. Some grassing, some minor corrective work. So they will be in the area this fall after things are open, hopefully by early October. But the main work and some of those overnight headaches should be gone,” Collins said.

Over the next several weeks there will be overnight road closures on the interstate, with only one lane open as they head towards the finish line.

GDOT construction partners will implement overnight lane closures as part of the I-20 at Savannah River Bridge project. This closure allows crews to install overhead and ground-mounted sign structures.

Wednesday, August 21, until Thursday, August 22

• 8 p.m. until 6 a.m., single, right-lane closure on I-20 westbound from MM 1 in South Carolina to MM 200 in Georgia
• 10 p.m. until 7 a.m., single, right-lane closure on I-20 eastbound from MM 200 in Georgia to MM 1 in South Carolina

Thursday, August 22, until Friday, August 23

• 9 p.m. until 6 a.m., single right-lane closure on I-20 westbound from MM 1 in South Carolina to MM 200 in Georgia
• 10 p.m. until 7 a.m., single right-lane closure on I-20 eastbound from MM 200 in Georgia to MM 1 in South Carolina

Friday August 23, until Saturday, August 24

• 10 p.m. until 6 a.m., single right-lane closure on I-20 westbound from MM 1 in South Carolina to MM 200 in Georgia
• 10 p.m. until 7 a.m., single right-lane closure on I-20 eastbound from MM 200 in Georgia to MM 1 in South Carolina

During this time, the shoulders of I-20 eastbound and westbound may be impacted. Motorists are advised to expect delays and drive with caution through the work zone.

For additional project information, visit https://i-20savannahriverbridgereplacements-gdot.hub.arcgis.com/ .

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