JASPER COUNTY, S.C. — Construction is officially underway on one of the most significant highway projects in the Southeast: the $825 million I-95 Improvements project at the South Carolina–Georgia border.

The effort, led by Ferrovial Construction in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) and Georgia DOT, aims to widen a critical 10-mile stretch of I-95 from the Savannah River in Georgia to just north of U.S. 278 in South Carolina. The work also includes rebuilding interchanges and constructing a brand-new bridge across the Savannah River.

“I-95 at the Georgia border has long been a choke point for traffic heading between New York and Miami,” said South Carolina Secretary of Transportation Justin Powell. He added that the upgrades are designed to improve the drive “for residents and visitors alike.”

At $728.8 million in construction costs alone, this is SCDOT’s largest highway contract to date. Officials said the project is vital for addressing chronic congestion, supporting expected population growth, and ensuring freight mobility along one of the busiest interstate corridors in the U.S.

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According to project planners, the border section currently ranks among the worst-performing rural interstates for freight movement, a major concern given I-95’s role as a backbone for East Coast logistics.

Funding comes from a mix of Federal Interstate funds, South Carolina’s State Rural Interstate Program, and contributions from the Georgia DOT.

The groundbreaking ceremony, held on Aug. 14 in Jasper County, brought together state officials, Ferrovial representatives, and local leaders to mark the start of construction.

Ferrovial, headquartered in Amsterdam, has an established footprint in South Carolina. In 2023, through its U.S. subsidiary Webber, the company led a concrete rehabilitation project at Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport. The I-95 project signals an even deeper commitment to regional infrastructure.

Beyond easing daily commutes, the improvements are expected to bolster tourism, trade, and long-haul trucking, making the corridor safer and more efficient. The project also reflects broader state and federal priorities to modernize critical freight routes and prepare for future growth.

The work is expected to continue through 2030, with phased construction to minimize disruptions to the thousands of vehicles that cross the state line every day.

“This investment will unlock economic opportunity and improve safety for generations,” Powell said.

Originally reported by Julie Strupp in Construction Dive.