The I-77 road work between Baxter and Kingsley may cost much more than anticipated
Road work on the I-77 exit between Baxter and Kingsley in Fort Mill could cost much more than expected, even just a year ago.
On Friday afternoon Berry Mattox with the South Carolina Department of Transportation told area transportation leaders with the Rock Hill-Fort Mill Area Transportation Study not to expect cost estimates they’d seen thus far when the project moves to construction.
“It’s a huge departure from that,” he said.
In June 2020 the estimated construction cost was $66.5 million. That projected cost included $31.7 million to build the new interchange and widen S.C. 160, more than $14 million combined for three bridges or ramps over the interstate and $6.4 million in contingency funding. Funding is a mix of state infrastructure bank (almost $50 million) and RFATS ($23 million) money.
Last year that projected cost jumped 20%, to almost $80 million. Costs were up in that estimate 12-228%, with roadway structures the highest jump from less than $3 million to $9.5 million. The 2021 estimate didn’t include contingency money.
Now, costs are up another 17% in the latest projection.
Bridge, road structure and shared use path costs are down 9%-17%, but the interchange and widening costs — easily the most expensive part of the project — are up 26%. The total construction projection now is just less than $93 million.
Mattox said it isn’t just certain materials or labor that has caused the increase.
“It’s almost across the board,” Mattox said.
At one point the project was slated for a new diverging diamond, similar to what just opened at I-77 and Gold Hill Road. It became apparent that setup wouldn’t serve the long-term needs at S.C. 160, Mattox said. The plan now includes a directional interchange with flyover bridges, a costlier setup than the diamond.
”The project did grow,” Mattox said.
Yet the recent projection increases come mostly from the same new configuration. The new $93 million projection does have $14 million included as contingency, due to recent market fluctuations.
”We felt like that gave us a little bit of breathing room in case things continue the way they have,” Mattox said.
Mayors from Rock Hill, Fort Mill and Tega Cay sit on the RFATS policy committee, the group Mattox addressed Friday. RFATS determines how federal transportation dollars are spent in the urbanized parts of York and Lancaster counties. David Hooper, RFATS administrator, said the new cost estimates are digestible but tighten the ability to complete the project with committed and available funds.
Fort Mill Mayor Guynn Savage said she was thankful for the update, on what a worst case scenario might be. It gives the RFATS group time and cause to plan, as much as the group can, given still volitile costs markets.
“This is needed, and it’s something where I need to realize it’s a different world today,” Savage said. “It’ll be a different world tomorrow.”
Rock Hill Mayor John Gettys said there are multiple revenue stream options, but didn’t go for the suggestion of a phased approach to spread costs. People in Fort Mill and Tega Cay need the project quicker than that, he said.
“This project is way overdue time-wise,” Gettys said. “We need to get going.”
Jonathan Guy is a consultant working with SCDOT. Overall, projects in the region are seeing cost increases of 20-40%.
“The world we live in today, we’re seeing cost escalation,” Guy said.
Plans are to put out construction bids at the end of this year or early next. Recent volatility in the market may swing back and make costs lower.
”That is the intent, or the hope,” Guy said.
Construction costs in coming years will reach well beyond Fort Mill. York County is in the middle of the biggest interstate upgrade phase in decades. Repaving of half the I-77 bridge over the Catawba (the other half will come later) and the diamond interchange at Gold Hill Road are now complete. A new interchange for the Carolina Panthers headquarters is under construction.
The same state infrastructure bank package that pays much of the S.C. 160 interchange will have money for exit 82 in Rock Hill. That interchange is where Cherry and Celanese roads meet the interstate. RFATS officials discussed that project Friday but don’t yet have firm enough plans for a cost estimate. Recent discussions also include coming upgrades further south on the interstate, in Rock Hill.
