CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) -
Construction on Clements Ferry Road has caused hours worth of delays for drivers over the past several months making it impossible to get anywhere quickly.
“So yesterday because of all the accidents, it was an hour and 2 minutes. I was just going to West Ashley, which is a 19-minute drive,” said Sydney Aiken, a regular driver on the 4-mile stretch of construction.
“Sometimes it adds a good 20to 30 minutes to the ride, sometimes longer,” said Kevin Geiger, another person trying to get through his commute.
There is a light coming into focus for some that are tired of the construction since the South Carolina Department of Transportation says the first phase of the project may actually be done sooner than they thought.
According to the SCDOT, phase one, which is the area from I-526 to Jack Primus Road, is ahead of schedule, meaning the project will be done before the original November 2019 completion date.
But some have their doubts.
“I think anytime someone says the word construction and gives you a date, that’s a lie. It’s never going to be done on time. I just try to bear with it,” said Aiken.
Concern for safety has also become an issue, some saying the construction has made Clements Ferry too dangerous to get in and out of.
“Do you want us to die at 5 o’clock? No,” said Aiken.
SCDOT officials say they have heard the concerns and are working to evaluate the situation.
Aiken says she is getting rid of her commute altogether because of the Clements Ferry traffic.
“I can’t deal with this anymore. I actually moved four minutes away from my work in West Ashley because I can’t do it. I mean two hours commuting for like ten miles. It’s not worth it.”
Phase two of the widening project from Jack Primus Rd. to SC-41 is set to begin Fall 2019.
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