South Carolina Department of Transportation are starting to construct phase one of the Highway 31 extension and preparing the US 501 Aynor overpass.
The SC DOT 31 extension plan involves clearing land from SC 544 to Peachtree Road. DOT will close sections of Melissa Drive, Monroe Circle, Jones Road and Stable Road permanently.
The DOT still needs environmental permits to start construction in some areas along the extension.
Tuesday, traffic on the Aynor 501 overpass will be altered to a paved road around the bridge. Ken Hays with DOT estimates the 501 bridge and pipe construction will take a year to complete. Bluewater Road and Ninth Avenue Extension are closed to through traffic during the construction.
