Construction for the widening of SC Highway 68 from Hampton County’s industrial parks to Exit 38 on I-95 has been slated to begin Sept. 16. The construction will create four lanes and widening of the highway for 2.6 miles, providing full four-lane access from the Lowcountry Industrial Park and the Southern Carolina Industrial Campus to Exit 38 on I-95.
According to SouthernCarolina Alliance’s Director of Development John Fleming, who confirmed the construction start date with the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT), construction will begin in a few weeks and will be completed by the summer of 2018.
“SouthernCarolina Alliance and the leaders of Hampton County are pleased that SCDOT has confirmed a construction start date of Sept. 16 and a schedule for the completion of the four lanes because the four-lane widening to I-95 is critical in marketing these industrial properties to prospective industries,” said Fleming.
SouthernCarolina Alliance and Hampton County market industrial parks, sites and buildings to manufacturing prospects around the world. According to Fleming, Hampton County will be able to capitalize more effectively on proximity to I-95, the major North-South corridor between New York and Miami, with full four-lane access to the interstate for trucking shipment. In addition, Hampton County’s equidistance to the Ports of Charleston and Savannah, which are only an hour from the industrial parks in Early Branch, make Hampton County an ideal location for exporting and importing.
“Hampton County and SCA have worked long and hard for the widening of Highway 68, and we are celebrating the realization of the project,” said Hampton County Council Chairman Shedron Williams. “Infrastructure, from highways to rail to utilities, will be critical to the growth of our county as we continue to recruit companies to the area.”
Williams added that an Italian manufacturer, Nupi Americas, has already located at the Southern Carolina Industrial Campus in the former Hampton County Spec. Building, which was constructed to recruit industries. Other companies, French cookware manufacturer Le Creuset and container distributor Progressive Packaging, are located at the Lowcountry Industrial Park across Highway 68 from the SCIC.
“We already have international companies that have chosen to locate here,” said Williams. “The fact that a company like LeCreuset has located their North and South American distribution headquarters and handles all of their e-commerce from Hampton County speaks to the value of our location and our workforce. Improving the infrastructure in our industrial parks and the transportation routes leading to them will enhance our marketability even more.”
J.R. Wilson of Hampton County has been selected as the contractor for the project, which involves the clearing of more than 30 acres of new right-of-way, utility relocations and 2.6 miles of new road.
“SouthernCarolina Alliance and Hampton County are looking forward to the start of this project,” said Brantley Strickland, SouthernCarolina Alliance Project Manager for Hampton County. “While there may be some inconvenience during the upcoming construction, it’s a project that is creating temporary jobs here in Hampton County with a local construction firm, and when completed, it will help bring more permanent jobs to the county through better transportation routes and economic development. It’s a great opportunity for Hampton County.”