Dorchester County is moving forward with the Orangeburg Loop Improvement Project to widen three key roads—Orangeburg Road, Mallard Road, and Jedburg Road—after over 700 crashes were recorded on these routes in the past five years. The 8-mile project aims to alleviate worsening traffic congestion and safety issues that residents have increasingly experienced.
Key details about the project:
- Roads to be widened: Orangeburg Road, Mallard Road (from Orangeburg Road to US Highway 78), and Jedburg Road (from Highway 78 to the Berkeley County line).
- Pedestrian and cyclist pathways will be enhanced for safer, multi-modal travel.
- Right-of-way acquisition will begin in 2028; construction is expected to start around 2030.
- Estimated total cost is approximately $6 million.
- The county took over the project timeline from the South Carolina Department of Transportation to speed it up, as DOT’s original start date was set for 2036.
Local business owners like Andrea Reece have highlighted the urgency due to heavy congestion during peak hours that affects travel significantly. The next public meeting about this project will be Thursday at 5 p.m. at First Baptist of Jedburg in Summerville (121 Brewer Road), giving residents a chance to learn more and provide input.
This project represents an important investment to improve road safety, reduce traffic jams, and support safer pedestrian and cyclist travel in the area.
