SCDOT Repairing I-26 at Crash Scene in Richland County

COLUMBIA, SC – The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) has crews making repairs to the section of I-26 in Richland County that was severely damaged by a multi-vehicle crash, including a tanker truck. The crash occurred early Wednesday morning in the eastbound lanes between Piney Grove Road and St. Andrews Road. The crash has required closing both eastbound and westbound lanes for several hours at that location. The tanker truck was carrying 8500 gallons of fuel which spilled into a 300-foot drainage pipe and caught fire.

SCDOT had four crews (25 employees) respond to the incident. The intense heat from the fire caused severe damage to the median barrier wall and several sections of pavement. SCDOT crews are currently involved in removing burned trees on the shoulder, debris on the roadway and making pavement repairs.

• Currently, two lanes of I-26 westbound are open. SCDOT anticipates having all three lanes open by 1:30 p.m. in advance of the afternoon rush hour traffic.

• Eastbound traffic is still diverted at Lake Murray Blvd. until the damaged vehicles have been cleared and SCDOT employees and equipment can be brought onto the scene to make repairs to the asphalt directly under the tanker truck. SCDOT’s goal is to have one eastbound lane open to traffic by mid-afternoon.

• To get I-26 at this location re-opened today, SCDOT crews must repair 177 square yards of asphalt roadway that were severely damaged.

Other damages will be repaired in the coming weeks:

• 860 feet of barrier wall scorched and damaged by heat.
• 420 feet of chain link fence burned/melted.
• 7650 square yards of asphalt roadway – moderate damage & exposed to unleaded fuel.
• Inspection of the storm drainage pipe is still underway.
• SCDOT urges all motorists to drive with caution in this section of I-26 and maintain posted speed limits as repairs are made.