SCDOT plans to reverse interstate in preparation for Matthews arrival

Lexington, SC – A representative of the SCDOT has said that their senior staff has received word that there will be a complete lane reversal of I-26 from Charleston to Columbia on Wednesday afternoon. This is being done as a precaution in the event that Hurricane Matthew makes landfall in South Carolina.

A complete lane reversal means that all lanes of the interstate from the coast are turned inland. In the case of I-26, this would mean that the majority of the interstate between the two cities would be four lanes heading west at a minimum.

SCDOT officials are also placing employees on a heightened operational status. On Monday, they released a statement that said they were checking fuel levels in their maintenance sheds and taking other steps to ensure they were prepared in the event that the storm hits our state.

The DOT employee that we spoke with said that his supervisors had received a text indicating that this reversal would happen after noon tomorrow. Although an exact time was not given, all indications were that this would take place between1:00 and 3:00 p.m. tomorrow.

Governor Haley is holding a press conference right now. We will continue to update the news regarding Hurricane Matthew as it develops.