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South Carolina highway deal for Michael Baker International

Engineering and consultancy firm Michael Baker International will work on a major highway reconstruction project in Colombia, South Carolina. The project is intended to improve the commute for drivers in the state. The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) has awarded Michael Baker International a US$8.8-million contract to provide construction engineering and inspection services for an 17.6km section of Interstate 20 (I-20) in Lexington County. The section of I-20 is a main artery into and
June 21, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
Engineering and consultancy firm Michael Baker International will work on a major highway reconstruction project in Colombia, South Carolina. The project is intended to improve the commute for drivers in the state. The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) has awarded Michael Baker International a US$8.8-million contract to provide construction engineering and inspection services for an 17.6km section of Interstate 20 (I-20) in Lexington County.

The section of I-20 is a main artery into and out of Columbia and currently experiences heavy congestion at peak periods. When the project is complete, the stretch of I-20 will be expanded from four to six lanes in each direction. The new section of highway will better accommodate traffic patterns flowing into the city and potentially reduce the daily rush hour commute by nearly 50 percent.

Michael Baker’s Construction Engineering & Inspection team, led by project engineer Tim Sewell, will oversee contract management, inspection and testing services, and verification surveys. Given the roadway’s significance to local commuters, Michael Baker will also assist SCDOT in keeping residents, local businesses and other key regional stakeholders informed of the roadway project’s progress and anticipated lane restrictions or delays, particularly during the construction phase to ensure minimal disruptions. This might include the establishment of a variety of channels, including signage and informational meetings with the public.

The design and engineering phase of the project is expected to begin in the summer of 2016. The roadway project is expected to be complete by the third quarter of 2018.