Charleston Reporter

Gov. Henry McMaster was joined by state Department of Transportation Secretary Christy Hall and business leaders to introduce a proposal that would speed up plans to widen essential sections of Interstate 26 between Charleston and Columbia, according to a press release from the governor's office.

Additionally, South Carolina's $360 million American Rescue Plan Act investment would advance the project by at least six years, bringing relief to motorists and businesses that rely on this stretch of highway, the release said.

 “Today I announced a proposal that would accelerate existing plans to widen key portions of I-26 between Charleston and Columbia," McMaster tweeted. "Our state is growing and we must have the infrastructure necessary to support that growth. This investment would be a major step in that direction.”

According to governor's office release, the DOT had previously designated the widening project as a high priority due to the "state's growth and  increased traffic on I-26." In the past decade, statewide traffic has increased approximately 30%, with I-26 carrying more than 22 million vehicles each year between Columbia and Charleston.

The widening of highways has drawn some criticism, with some claiming that adding more lanes results in more traffic, a process known as "induced demand," according to an article by StreetsBlog USA.