This project was the first phase of the five-phase program which consisted of redesigning and constructing a new interchange for Colonial Life Boulevard at I-126, as well as improvements on I-26 and I-126. ICE served as the Lead Design Firm responsible for the overall design management and coordination. The Team developed several innovative and unique approaches to address the purpose and goal and determined that a fully directional interchange concept was safer and operationally more efficient. Construction involved improvements to the I-126 ramps at Colonial Life Boulevard and new construction of ramps entering and exiting from Colonial Life Boulevard and I-126 to I-20. This new design was intended to prevent side swipes and rear-end accidents which are prevalent in diamond interchange configurations.
In order to minimize traffic shifts and temporary lane closures, ICE developed a Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) Plan in order to maintain a minimum of three lanes in the east and westbound directions while widening and median work was being performed. The plan also included utilizing an “off-alignment” construction scheme to eliminate the closure of the existing ramps and minimize the number of traffic stages.
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