The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) urges motorists to use alternative routes to avoid heavy congestion from daytime lane closures on northbound Interstate 95 from Florence County to Dillon County.

An interstate improvement project has been under way since October 2008 along a 23-mile stretch of I-95 from mile marker 171 near Florence to mile marker 194 near Dillon. The work includes concrete patching, guardrail replacement, bridge approach replacement and asphalt work.

Effective Tuesday, August 18, 2009: Long delays are expected in the northbound section from mile marker 170 to mile marker 193 on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays during the months of August, September, and October.  The SCDOT will continuously monitor the lane closures.  Updates and changes will occur should conditions warrant.  The project is scheduled to be completed in winter 2010.  

Lane closures are in place 24 hours a day from Sundays at 8 p.m. until Thursdays at 10 a.m. From 10 a.m. Thursdays until 8 p.m. Sundays, only nighttime closures are permitted.  Detour signs, including variable message boards and an overhead message board are in place to inform motorists of the alternative routes. Signs are in place at exit 170 (Florence), 181 (Latta), and 193(Dillon). 

For motorists traveling northbound, the detour route is as follows: take exit 170 at Florence to SC 327, US 76/US 301 and SC 9 back to I-95 and return to I 95 at exit 193 at Dillon.  Motorists are encouraged to use the detours to avoid delays if there are noticeable traffic backups and if message boards request the use of detours.

SCDOT appreciates your patience and cooperation during these necessary improvements to provide a safer, more efficient interstate system. Motorists are urged to use caution when traveling in work zones.

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