SCDOT Port Access Road

Fluor-Lane South Carolina, a joint venture between Fluor and The Lane Construction Corporation, designed and built the Port Access Road Project in Charleston for the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) and the South Carolina State Port Authority (SCSPA). The Port of Charleston is currently the fastest-growing major container port in the United States. The roadway and structure project provided direct access to the new Hugh K. Leatherman Jr. port terminal from Interstate 26 (I-26).

Client's Challenge

The project scope included local roadway enhancements to integrate container terminal traffic safely with existing traffic, support local and regional planning policies and strategies and minimize adverse impacts on nearby communities, the traveling public and the environment.

The project construction was near live I-26 traffic, over the active CSX and Norfolk Southern Rail lines and involved work in environmental cleanup areas of former industrial sites.

Fluor's Solution

Fluor-Lane South Carolina's portion of the work included a new fully directional interchange on I-26, Bainbridge Connector Road, the extension of Stromboli Avenue and associated roadway improvements to surface streets to serve the new port terminal.

Modular construction was used for precast components of the project, such as bridge beams, retaining walls, sound walls and draining structures. These items were fabricated offsite to maintain quality and safety.

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Conclusion

The Port Access Road is an elevated viaduct structure that directly accesses I-26 and avoids railroad crossings, local street crossings and tidal creeks. It includes a new fully directional interchange on I-26, the reconstruction of two I-26 exits, a three-level flyover interchange and local roadway enhancements.

The project was completed ahead of schedule. It supports enhanced economic development, accommodating future commuter traffic demands, and improves local roadway network access to I-26. New interchanges bring greater mobility to serve the fastest-growing container port in the U.S., including access to the new Hugh K. Leatherman Jr. port terminal.

The American Society of Civil Engineers South Carolina Section (ASCE-SC) named the Port Access Road its 2021 Project of the Year, calling its completed design "a testament to design innovation born from true collaboration."