Criminal Defense Attorney inHardeeville, SC

HARDEEVILLE, S.C. (WTOC) - Those in the Lowcountry are getting ready for potential winter weather.

So far it’s cold, but as of Tuesday afternoon WTOC crews haven’t seen any kind of wintery precipitation yet so drivers have been moving along just fine here on I-95 as well as through the back roads of Hardeeville.

While things are smooth right now, Hardeeville’s city manager said road conditions are what he’s most worried about.

With the city extending across both Jasper and Beaufort County, Hardeeville’s city manager said he’s been in close contact with both counties making sure they’re as prepared as possible.

South Carolina’s Department of Transportation already making its way through the city, brining and salting the roads the past couple of days.

Despite those efforts, officials said it’s still the best idea to stay home if possible.

“Right now transportation is going to be the biggest thing and our message is going to be clear to the public that once conditions start going bad this afternoon, stay off the road, stay home, enjoy the snow, enjoy staying warm with your friends and family, but don’t travel unless it is absolutely necessary,” said Hardeeville City Manager, Josh Gruber.

As many people make their way through Hardeeville Tuesday on a road trip, they tell us they made sure to leave their house early Tuesday morning so they would be off the road by the time that inclement weather hits our area, which is exactly what officials are hoping you do Tuesday night.

Lowcountry leaders reiterate resident safety

As winter weather gets closer to the Lowcountry, local leaders want you to be prepared.

WTOC headed to exit 5 on I-95 going into Hardeeville where roads were not too busy, which is exactly what officials are hoping will continue throughout the night.

With the potential for snow, ice and freezing rain, city officials say their number one tip for locals is to stay off the road.

This will be the first time in years some from the Lowcountry will have to drive in winter weather, and because some people lack experience, city leaders say it’s important to stay off the road, not only to protect yourself, but others who are driving.

Tuesday many out-of-towners are also making their way back home after a long weekend.

Many of them choosing to hit the road early to avoid the weather.

“I was watching the news this morning and it said there was going to be some sleet, possible road ice, so I thought I’d get up about six and leave so here I am,” said Jerry Sanderland, driving through Hardeeville.

“You don’t know what other people are going to be driving like so just try to get up and beat the traffic,” Sanderland added.

That’s why officials are urging you to stay off the road to avoid driving on slick and icy streets.

As we’ve spoken to people on the roads Tuesday, locals seem to be more excited about the chance of snow than anything.

Others making a trip to the south for a bit of sunshine were unfortunately not met with the warmest welcome.

“We are just here on vacation and we were expecting to have good weather, especially down south, and all of the sudden it’s freezing,” said Marco Mora. “It’s going to be the second time he’s seen snow. We saw it a year ago in Paris and it was unexpected that time too.”

WTOC did see trucks with the South Carolina Department of Transportation out in Hardeeville brining the roads earlier Tuesday.

The city manager says while that will help road conditions, it’s not a guarantee that ice won’t form again emphasizing the importance of staying home if you can.

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HARDEEVILLE — It's not often that those attending a public meeting with a government agency could be described as practically giddy with excitement, but such was the case during a review of the next phase of expansion plans for Interstate 95 in Jasper County.

A large contingent from the South Carolina Department of Transportation was on hand at the Hardeeville Recreation Center on Jan. 30. The team was met with a room full of residents anxious to hear about plans to expand 13 miles of I-95 that runs through Jasper County. It's the second segment of a project that will eventually overhaul the entire 200-mile length of the interstate that runs north to south from North Carolina to Georgia.

The entire project is broken into smaller, more manageable chunks, explained Ginny Jones, a DOT spokesperson.

"I think it goes without saying that the I-95 widening project is long overdue," said Ridgeland Town Manager Dennis Averkin. "Anything that can be done to alleviate the chronic congestion on this corridor is welcomed."

The second segment of the project will expand 13 miles of interstate highway between Exits 8 and 22 from two lanes to three. Along the way, it will have to make improvements to 11 bridges and overpasses and will result in the reconfiguration of interchanges at Exits 18 and 21.

"Exits 18 and 22 are outdated and, quite frankly, dangerous exit configurations. Both of these exits will be brought up to standard and will open areas surrounding both exits up to much-needed economic development," said Averkin, adding that the Exit 22 upgrade will be part of the next construction segment.

Much to the chagrin of drivers who currently deal with traffic issues on the interstate, construction projects on interstate highways don't happen quickly. Construction is planned to begin this summer on the first segment, an 8-mile stretch that runs from the Savannah River to Exit 8. It is expected to last for four years.

Plans for the second segment are currently in design phase, an effort that will continue into the spring of 2026. Right-of-way acquisition will follow and take about a year. The project's final design phase will start in the fall of 2027 and last about six months. All of that will lead to the start of construction in the fall of 2027. Construction is expected to be complete four years later.

There was, for all intents and purposes, no one in the crowded room during the two-hour event substantively objecting to plans to reduce traffic congestion on the busy roadway. In today's highly bifurcated world, an initiative to reduce traffic congestion appears to have nearly universal appeal.

Jasper County Administrator Andrew Fulghum noted, "There's a lot of happy people in there."

During a similar meeting several years ago held to discuss the first segment of the project, which runs from the Savannah River to Exit 8, the most notable public comment was that construction wasn't getting started fast enough, said Jones.

Evidence of economic opportunity following the expansion of the highway is already evident. In November, the Hardeeville City Council gave preliminary approval for the construction of a Buc-ee's near the Exit 8.

Hardeeville officials said the new Buc-ee's compound will bring around 200 jobs. The company advertises pay scales from $16 an hour for cashiers and stockers, to $20 an hour for bathroom attendants and more than $100,000 for managers — with the general manager capable of earning more than $225,000.

The store will generate new property, hospitality and sales tax revenues for Hardeeville.

"Not only will it provide for better safety and efficiency, but virtually all of the seven existing interchanges in Jasper County will be reoriented in some way to better facilitate development" said Fulghum. "This is huge."