The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) has given the contractor APAC-Southeast Inc. formal notice to proceed on the long-awaited widening of Highway 278.

“Construction signs should go up in the next few days,” said Deborah Galloway, APAC spokesperson. “The notice-to-proceed was just the next step in a long process to widen the highway.” 

The current plan, barring changes in the project, called for construction to be completed in October 2006.

The first step in that process will be to conduct a detailed survey to verify controls in the plans, develop the right of way layout to ensure there are no conflicts and to verify the construction limits. Following the survey, at least a month will be needed for the submittal process. This process entails the contractor submitting plans for traffic control, diversity hiring, and other requirements to meet state and federal regulations. 

The next step will be dependent on the approval of the pit to be used to provide fill dirt for the project. Once the pit has been approved, crews and equipment will be mobilized on the site to lay the storm sewers.

“Our contract requires that there will be no lane closures from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.,” Galloway said. “We hope to minimize disruption to the community as much as we can during construction. We will, for instance, be closing the job down during the MCI Heritage Open in April 2006.”

SCDOT and the contractor emphasize that they hope the public will be mindful of safety in the work zones during construction. 

In early June, SCDOT, APAC-Southeast and the communities affected will be developing a communication plan to keep the public apprised of construction progress and traffic control plans.

For more information, visit www.scdot.org.

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