Improvements on I-26 Corridor, Exits 136 to 145 (Federal Funding)

The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) is soliciting bids for I-26 Corridor Improvement from near Exit 136 to Exit 145, a federal-aid highway project spanning approximately 18 miles across Calhoun and Orangeburg counties, with electronic bids due September 9, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at SCDOT Headquarters in Columbia. All bidders must be prequalified by SCDOT prior to bid submission and must hold a bid bond equal to 5% of the approximate bid amount.

The scope encompasses comprehensive corridor improvements including bridge construction and removal, utility relocations for Calhoun County Water System and Orangeburg DPU Water Division, pavement milling and resurfacing, drainage installation, traffic control infrastructure, signage and markings, earthwork and excavation, retaining walls, and erosion control. The contract contains over 500 line items with substantial quantities: approximately 785,387 cubic yards of unclassified excavation, 835,713 cubic yards of borrow excavation, over 109,000 square yards of existing asphalt pavement removal, and over 7.8 million linear feet of pavement markings.

Utility work under Section 105 requires use of prequalified utility contractors from SCDOT's approved lists for both water systems — bidders must identify prequalified subcontractors from the specified lists or their bids will be deemed nonresponsive. Apparent low bidders must submit utility worksheets and prequalified subcontractor names within three business days following the letting.

The project is subject to Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirements and Work Hours and Safety Act compliance. The DBE participation goal is 0.00%. Project completion is June 30, 2030. Proposal bid forms, plans, and supporting documents became available August 9, 2026 through the Bid Express website and SCDOT Construction Extranet; hardcopy plans are available for purchase at $2 per sheet.