Major Commuter Alert: Summer-Long Closure of East Butler Road at I-385 Starts Next Week
June 10, 2026
Local motorists and daily commuters are being urged to plan for significant delays starting next week as a major artery in Mauldin shuts down for the summer.
The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) has announced a full closure of East Butler Road at the I-385 bridge beginning Monday, June 15, 2026. The shutdown is required to facilitate an extensive bridge rehabilitation project designed to enhance the long-term structural safety and longevity of the overpass.
Barring any severe weather delays, the roadway is not expected to reopen to traffic until August 6, 2026. Because the closure impacts a critical commercial and commuter corridor directly connecting downtown Mauldin to the interstate, local transportation officials are bracing for heavy congestion.
To help drivers navigate the construction zone, SCDOT has established official detour routes for both northbound and southbound traffic:
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Southbound Detour (Toward I-385 South): Motorists traveling southbound on East Butler Road will be directed to go north on Woodruff Road, turn left to merge onto I-385 South, and then use Exit 34 to return to East Butler Road.
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Northbound Detour (Toward I-385 North): Motorists traveling northbound will be rerouted south on Bridges Road, directed to turn left to merge onto I-385 North, and then instructed to take Exit 34 back down to East Butler Road.
The timing of the project aligns with the summer school break to minimize disruptions to local school bus routes, but officials warn that nearby business access and peak rush-hour traffic will still face substantial challenges.
“We strongly encourage motorists to plan ahead, map out alternative routes, and allow plenty of additional travel time for their daily commutes,” Mauldin officials noted in a community update. “Please follow all posted detour signage and use extreme caution when traveling through the surrounding construction zones.”
SCDOT and local law enforcement will have electronic message boards and advanced warning signs active in the area throughout the week to prepare drivers ahead of Monday’s closure.
