If you’ve been on I-26 at peak times you know how congested it can become.

Its traffic has increased almost 30% in the last 10 years..

More than 22 million vehicles a year take I-26 between Lexington County and Charleston.

To ease congestion, the state plans to widen it from here to Charleston with $360 million from SC’s share of American Rescue Act money, Gov. Henry McMaster said. No state gas tax money will be used.

I-26 was built more than 60 years ago, SC Department of Transportation Secretary Christy Hall said.

“Since that time, this segment of South Carolina’s interstate network has become plagued with congestion, delays and accidents.”

The bulk of the widening will go to contract over the next 3 to 4 years, including some work to start next year, she said.

SC Manufacturers Alliance board chair April Allen said I-26 is critical to the state’s import and export business.