A prominent route in Jasper County will begin a prolonged closure later this month as the state completely replaces its bridge across Interstate 95.
John Smith Road and its overpass, which connects U.S. Highway 17 and U.S. 278 north of downtown Hardeeville, will close to through traffic beginning March 23 and “for the remainder of the year,” according to the South Carolina Department of Transportation.
Drivers that use the bridge to cross I-95 should instead use Exit 5 or Exit 8, according to SCDOT. Local traffic on John Smith Road, including residents coming and going from the Royal Oaks development west of the overpass, will be allowed to access portions of the road, the agency said.
The bridge is one of 14 being replaced as part of SCDOT’s I-95 corridor improvements and widening project, according to previous reporting. The plan includes reconfiguring Exit 8 to Hilton Head Island into a “diverging diamond interchange” designed to reduce bottlenecks…