The proposed project would widen the existing four-lane mainline of I-85 to six lanes in Franklin County beginning just north of SR 17 and ending just north of SR 11 in South Carolina. Currently, I-85 consists of four 12-foot wide travel lanes (two in each direction) with 4-foot wide paved shoulders adjacent to the median and 10-foot wide paved shoulders on the outside lanes. From mile log 173.5-177.7 there is a 64-foot wide depressed median, from mile log 177.7-179.0 there is a 146-foot wide depressed median, and from mile log 179.0-179.1 and 0.0-0.6 (SC) there is a variable width (38-82 feet) depressed median. The existing right-of-way varies from 300-510 feet and the speed limit is 70 mph. The total length of the proposed project is 6.3 miles (mile log 173.5-179.1 & 0.0-0.6). From mile log 173.5-177.7, the proposed typical section for the project would consist of six 12-foot wide travel lanes (three in each direction) and a median barrier. From mile log 177.7-179.0 the proposed typical section for the project would consist of six 12-foot wide travel lanes (three in each direction) with a 104'-4" wide depressed median. There would be 12-foot wide paved shoulders adjacent to the median/median barrier and 12-foot wide paved shoulders on the outside lanes. The right-of-way would be a minimum of 300 feet. From mile log 179.0-179.1 and 0.0-0.6 (SC) the proposed typical section for the project would consist of six 12-foot wide travel lanes (three in each direction) and a median harrier. Within this section, there are parallel bridges over Lake Hartwell. These bridges will be replaced as part of the proposed improvements. Additional ROW would be necessary in this section to build the proposed improvements due to the narrow median width and the construction staging required to build the bridge over Lake Hartwell. The current speed limit of 70 mph would not be changed. Additional improvements would be made to the entry and exit of the South Carolina Welcome Center as well as the I-85 southbound entry ramp at SR 11 in South Carolina. These improvements would be contained within the existing ROW.
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