South Carolina Highway 28

Route description

SC 28 is part of a three-state highway 28, that totals 238 miles (383 km), from Tapoco, North Carolina to Beech Island. Because of its unique routing, both Georgia and South Carolina have two sections of Highway 28.

Starting at the Russell Bridge over the Chattooga River, SC 28 starts off as a mountain rural highway, cutting through the Chattooga Ridge at Callas Gap (highest point on route). After passing Stumphouse Mountain, the curves end as it enters Walhalla. Once south of Walhalla, the road expands to four-lane (some sections divided), traveling straight to Seneca, then east around Clemson then south towards and around Anderson. Once south of Anderson, it switches into a two-lane rural road through Antreville, around Abbeville, and through McCormick. Along the banks of Lake Strom Thurmond, it eventually crosses over a non-dammed section of the Savannah River near Augusta, Georgia.

SC 28 returns into the state, just southeast of Augusta as a four-lane highway for 1.9 miles (3.1 km) before ending in Beech Island.

History

Established as an original primary route in 1922, SC 28 went northwest from Allendale, through Ellenton, to Beech Island. In 1928, it was extended southeast, replacing SC 1 from Allendale to Yemassee, then replaced SC 30 to Beaufort. Seven years later, SC 28 was truncated in Yemassee, replaced by an extension of U.S. Route 21 to Beaufort.

In 1938, SC 28 was extended northwest, going through Georgia as SR 28, to Abbeville (replacing SC 20); then from Abbeville to Anderson (replacing SC 18); and finally from Anderson to the Georgia state line along the Chattooga River (replacing SC 24).

In 1940, SC 28 was extended southeast to Gardens Corner as new primary routing; however, eight years later the extension was dropped, truncated back in Yemassee.

In 1951 or 1952, SC 28 between Beech Island and Allendale was cut off by the establishment of the Savannah River Site. In 1953, SC 28 was rerouted north around the Savannah River Site (replacing part of SC 781), then along new primary routing south to Barnwell, and then back to Allendale (replacing part of SC 3). Most of the old route became part of SC 125 and SC 641; other sections, that now reside in the Savannah River Site, are off limits.

In 1957 or 1958, two bypass routes were built along SC 28: Seneca and Abbeville; old routes through both cities became SC 28 Business. In 1959, SC 28 was straighten out east of Seneca, avoiding Newry. In the early 1960s, two more bypass routes were built along SC 28: Anderson, South Carolina and Pendleton; also, SC 28 was rerouted north and east around Clemson, leaving SC 93.

In 1965, SC 28 was truncated at Beech Island, all points east was replaced by US 278 and SC 68. In 1973, SC 28 was moved south onto new road between Walhalla and Bounty Land, the old route became "Old Walhalla Highway".

Junction list

Note: Mileage to Beech Island based on continuous travel through Augusta, Georgia.

Seneca business loop

Business loop use to follow original SC 28 through the downtown Seneca; has since been decommissioned.

Pendleton business loop

The 3.8 miles (6.1 km) route follows the original SC 28 through the downtown Pendleton, via Pendleton Road and Mechanic Street.

Anderson business loop

The 6.8-mile (10.9 km) route follows the original SC 28 through the downtown Anderson, via Clemson Boulevard and Main Street.

Abbeville business loop

Business loop use to follow original SC 28 through the downtown Abbeville; has since been decommissioned.

Ellenton alternate route

SC 64 alternate route provided direct access to Ellenton's town center from the mainline. In 1952, it along with Ellenton was abandon with the establishment of the Savannah River Site.