85-385 Gateway will transform the Upstate’s driving experience

With some quick turns of clay-filled shovels, the second largest transportation project in South Carolina history officially started at the interchange of Interstates 85 and 385 Friday morning.

“The 85-385 Gateway Project will transform the Upstate’s driving experience as it not only revamps the this traffic-laden interchange, but makes much needed additions to the overall regional transit structure,” said Christy Hall, Secretary of the South Carolina Department of Transportation.

“This project is more than just adding and rebuilding bridges and roads,” Hall said. “This is about making the highways of the Upstate safer and easier to navigate. This interchange is vital for the continued growth of the Upstate and South Carolina.”

As part of Friday’s groundbreaking, the SCDOT released new images of the finished project that includes flyover ramps (a first for the region) and bridges crisscrossing over and under each other in an intricate pattern.

SCDOT Highway Commissioner Woodrow Willard said the new design will become an iconic feature for Greenville. “This really will be a gateway and show the rest of the world what Greenville and the Upstate has to offer,” he said. “A project like this has never been done in South Carolina and we are excited to be doing it here.”

The 85-385 Gateway Project is utilizing a design-build contract which will require Flatiron-Zachry, a joint venture of Flatiron Construction Corp. and Zachry Construction Corp., to design, obtain permits, acquire right-of-way, coordinate utility relocation, and construct the new interchange; all under the oversight of SCDOT and FHWA. Both Flatiron and Zachry have worked on other landmark transportation projects in South Carolina including the Ravenel Bridge in Charleston.

While the interchange may be the most visible part of the $231 million project, the project scope will be much larger by the time work completes in Spring 2019, Hall said.

Additional improvements include:

• The extension of the 4th auxiliary lane on I-85 Northbound and the addition of another lane Southbound between I-385 and Pelham Road. This means the road will be four lanes wide between these two exits.
• The widening of I-385 from four-lanes to six-lanes between Butler Road to Roper Mountain Road.
• The construction of new interchange bridges, including two flyovers that will replace the existing loop ramps that tie I-85 from and to I-385.
• The reconstruction and enhancement of the traffic signal system on Woodruff Road between Ketron Court and Highway 14. Also, flood warning signs will be added on I-85 near Rocky Creek.
• The construction of additional turn lanes and reconstruction of 3 intersections on Woodruff Road between I-85 and I-385.

The project is being financed in part with funding from Act 98 of 2013 which provided the SCDOT with additional funding for bridge, resurfacing and mainline interstate projects. Additional funding is being provided by the Federal Interstate Improvement Program and Greenville-Pickens Area Transportation Study Committee (GPATS).

While some work had already started on the project, Friday’s groundbreaking brought out a who’s who of Upstate political, business and community leadership to see the Gateway’s development officially commence.

“We know people are excited about this project,” Hall said. “They can’t wait to see the finished project. Neither can the SCDOT because we know the people of South Carolina are going to be very proud.”

About the 85-385 Gateway Project
The 85-385 Gateway Interchange Improvement Project will provide an economic boost to the Upstate, improve safety for the traveling public, and increase the capacity of this Interchange to function more efficiently for many years to come. Average daily traffic volume at this interchange is 190,000 vehicles per day making this one of the busiest interchanges in South Carolina. At $231 million, it is the second largest transportation project in South Carolina history. Learn more at www.85385gateway.com.