How the DOT approaches I-85 Oconee improvements

State Senator Thomas Alexander has learned that the South Carolina DOT has applied to the U-S DOT for a planning grant to address I-85 changes at Fair Play, including the interstate bridge crossing to Georgia.  According to Alexander, he was told yesterday that the state DOT awaits word on whether the federal agency will approve the grant.  Widening 85 at and near the approach to bridges over Lake Hartwell is said to be dependent on bridge improvements.  It has been speculated that the improvements could eventually be tied to the potential for an alternate route to send traffic to and from Georgia by way of south of the current South Carolina Welcome Center.  A year ago the DOT’s Ted Creech said:  “SCDOT has longer-term plans to replace these bridges, but we have not begun design, engineering or other phases of preparing for this project.  So, at this point, we do not know what options for design or alignment might develop….”