BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. — A major traffic change is taking shape along I‑26 as South Carolina continues rolling out modern roundabout‑style interstate exits, with Berkeley County serving as one of the state’s early test locations.
The South Carolina Department of Transportation has opened two new roundabouts at Exit 187 on Ridgeville Road, part of a redesigned interchange aimed at easing congestion and improving safety.
The roundabouts are already open to drivers entering and exiting I‑26, even as construction crews work toward full completion this fall.
SCDOT says the design marks a shift away from traditional four‑way stop intersections, which often create backups during peak travel times.
Transportation officials say roundabouts offer a smoother, more continuous flow of traffic and reduce the number of conflict points where crashes typically occur.
As interstate traffic increases statewide, SCDOT is evaluating similar designs for other high‑volume exits.
The Ridgeville interchange sits in one of the fastest‑growing regions of South Carolina, where industrial expansion and population growth have placed new demands on the I‑26 corridor.
State officials say the Berkeley County project is part of a broader effort to modernize infrastructure and improve safety along major travel routes.
The dual‑roundabout system at Exit 187 is expected to be fully operational by fall, but SCDOT says drivers can already use the new configuration as work continues.
