The Midlands’ busiest interchange, not so kindly nicknamed “Malfunction Junction,” is set for a major overhaul, and the project broke ground on Nov. 8. The $1.7 billion Carolina Crossroads effort will redesign the intermingling of Interstates 20, 26 and 126 northwest of Columbia, rebuilding interchanges and adding lanes.

“It is a massive project,” Post and Courier Columbia reported, “the largest launched to date in South Carolina, according to S.C. Transportation Secretary Christy Hall. Spread along 14 miles will be 43 new bridges and seven rebuilt interchanges.”

“Malfunction Junction will soon be a part of our state’s history,” Barnwell Fishburne, chairman of the state Transportation Commission, is quoted in the story.

New Rules for Outdoor Pets?

As this week’s Chronicle went to press on Nov. 9, Lexington County Council was set to begin considering new rules governing how residents may keep pets outside.

Per a story from Post and Courier Columbia, council is reviewing “a proposal that would ban metal chains for tethering, require shelter for dogs outside longer than two consecutive hours and prohibit owners from keeping dogs outside in direct sunlight when temperatures rise above 90 degrees.”

County Councilwoman Beth Carrigg planned to put the ordinance up for first reading on Nov. 9. Her goal would be to get final approval in January. She told Post and Courier Columbia that calls about mistreatment of dogs inspired the idea.