Editing Interstate 520

{{short description|Interstate Highway in Georgia and South Carolina}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox road
|country=USA
|type=I
|route=520
|map={{maplink-road|from=Interstate 520.map}}
|map_custom=yes
|map_notes=I-520 highlighted in red
|length_mi=23.34
|length_ref=<ref name="FHWA">{{cite web |first = Kevin |last = Adderly |date = January 30, 2018 |url = https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/national_highway_system/interstate_highway_system/routefinder/table02.cfm |title = Table 2: Auxiliary Routes of the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways as of December 31, 2017 |work = Route Log and Finder List |location = Washington, D.C. |publisher = [[Federal Highway Administration]] |access-date = June 7, 2018 }}</ref>
|length_round=2
|established=1977<ref name="GDOT 1977">{{cite GDOT map |year = 1977 |access-date = December 27, 2016 }}</ref><ref name="GDOT 1978">{{cite GDOT map |year = 1978 |access-date = December 27, 2016 }}</ref>
|spur_type=I
|spur_of=20
|direction_a=West
|terminus_a={{Jct|state=GA|I|20|SR|232}} in [[Augusta, Georgia|Augusta, GA]]
|junction=
*{{Jct|state=GA|US|78|US|278|SR|10}} in Augusta, GA
*{{Jct|state=GA|US|1|SR|4|SR|540}} in Augusta, GA
*{{Jct|state=GA|US|25}} in Augusta, GA
*{{Jct|state=SC|US|1|US|78|US|278}} in [[North Augusta, South Carolina|North Augusta, SC]]
|direction_b=East
|terminus_b={{Jct|state=SC|I|20}} in North Augusta, SC
|states=[[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], [[South Carolina]]
|counties='''GA:''' [[Richmond County, Georgia|Richmond]]<br />'''SC:''' [[Aiken County, South Carolina|Aiken]]
|system1={{infobox road/browselinks/USA|state=GA}}
|system2={{infobox road/browselinks/USA|state=SC}}
|browse={{ga browse|previous_type=I|previous_route=516|route=GA|next_type=SR|next_route=520}}{{ga browse|previous_type=SR|previous_route=413|route=SR&nbsp;415|next_type=SR|next_route=417}}{{sc browse|previous_type=SC|previous_route=517|route=SC|next_type=US|next_route=521}}
}}

'''Interstate&nbsp;520''' ('''I-520''') is a {{convert|23.34|mi|km|2|adj=on}} [[auxiliary Interstate Highway]] that encircles most of [[Augusta, Georgia]] and [[North Augusta, South Carolina]] as a three-quarter [[ring road|beltway]] around the western, southern, and eastern parts of the main part of the [[Augusta metropolitan area]]. It begins at [[Interstate 20 in Georgia|I-20]] and [[Georgia State Route 232|State Route&nbsp;232]] (SR&nbsp;232) in the northern part of Augusta, Georgia, and ends at [[Interstate 20 in South Carolina|I-20]] in the northern part of North Augusta, South Carolina. I-520 is also known as '''[[Bobby Jones Expressway]]''' and the '''Deputy James D. Paugh Memorial Highway''' in Georgia and '''Palmetto Parkway''' in South Carolina. On the Georgia side, the road also carries [[unsigned highway|the internal designation]] '''State Route&nbsp;415''' ('''SR&nbsp;415''').<!--it's odd that a auxiliary route starting with '5' is a loop/bypass route instead of a spur, should be noted, although this wasn't an issue until recently-->

==Route description==
{{lengths table}}
|-
|GA
|{{convert|15.62|mi|km|disp=table}}
|-
|SC
|{{convert|7.72|mi|km|disp=table}}
|-
|Total
|{{convert|23.34|mi|km|disp=table}}
|}

The entire length of I-520 is part of the [[National Highway System (United States)|National Highway System]], a system of routes determined to be the most important for the nation's economy, mobility, and defense.<ref name="NHS Augusta">{{cite map |url=https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/national_highway_system/nhs_maps/georgia/augusta-richmond_county_ga.pdf |title=National Highway System: Augusta-Richmond County, GA--SC |publisher=Federal Highway Administration |date=May 9, 2019 |access-date=August 10, 2019 }}</ref><ref name="NHS North Augusta">{{cite map |url=https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/national_highway_system/nhs_maps/south_carolina/augusta-richmond_county_sc.pdf |title=National Highway System: Augusta-Richmond County, GA--SC |publisher=Federal Highway Administration |date=May 9, 2019 |access-date=August 10, 2019 }}</ref><!-- Yes, both references have same title. They just cover the different state's portion of the Augusta area. -->

===Georgia===
I-520 begins at an [[Interchange (road)|interchange]] with [[Interstate 20 in Georgia|I-20]] (Carl Sanders Highway) and the [[Unsigned highway|internal designation]] of [[Georgia State Route 402|SR&nbsp;402]] in the northern part of [[Augusta, Georgia|Augusta]]. At this interchange, the roadway continues as [[Georgia State Route 232|SR&nbsp;232]], which takes on the Bobby Jones Expressway name. The Interstate travels to the south-southeast. After passing the Augusta Exchange [[Retail park|shopping complex]], east of [[Doctors Hospital (Augusta, Georgia)|Doctors Hospital]], it has an interchange with [[Wheeler Road]] and Marks Church Road. After a slight western jog, I-520 continues to the south-southeast and meets [[Wrightsboro Road]], which leads to [[Augusta Mall]]. About {{convert|1|mi|km|spell=in}} later is an interchange with [[U.S. Route 78 in Georgia|U.S. Route&nbsp;78]] (US&nbsp;78)/[[U.S. Route 278 in Georgia|US&nbsp;278]]/[[Georgia State Route 10|SR&nbsp;10]] ([[Gordon Highway]]). The freeway curves to the southeast, passing by Glenn Hills Middle School and [[Glenn Hills High School]], to an interchange with [[U.S. Route 1 in Georgia|US&nbsp;1]]/[[Georgia State Route 4|SR&nbsp;4]] (Deans Bridge Road) and [[Georgia State Route 540|SR&nbsp;540]] ([[Fall Line Freeway]]). It passes by a campus of [[Augusta Technical College]] and the [[Richmond County Technical Career Magnet School]], before curving to the east-southeast and meeting an interchange with [[Transportation in Augusta, Georgia#Windsor Spring Road|Windsor Spring Road]] also with [[U.S. Route 25 in Georgia|US&nbsp;25]]/[[Georgia State Route 121|SR&nbsp;121]] (Peach Orchard Road) and [[Georgia State Route 555|SR&nbsp;555]]/[[Georgia State Route 565|SR&nbsp;565]] ([[Savannah River Parkway]]). After a curve to the east is an interchange with [[Georgia State Route 56|SR&nbsp;56]] (Mike Padgett Highway), which is east of Southside Elementary School and northeast of East-Central Regional Hospital. I-520 curves to the east-northeast and has an interchange with [[Doug Barnard Parkway]] (former [[Georgia State Route 56 Spur (Augusta)|State Route&nbsp;56 Spur]] (SR&nbsp;56 Spur)). The Interstate gradually curves to the northeast and has an interchange with [[Transportation in Augusta, Georgia#Laney Walker Boulevard|Laney Walker Boulevard]] and [[Georgia State Route 28|SR&nbsp;28]] (Sand Bar Ferry Road). Just over {{convert|1000|ft|m}} later, it crosses the [[Savannah River]] into [[South Carolina]] and the [[city limits]] of [[North Augusta, South Carolina|North Augusta]].

===South Carolina===
I-520 curves to the north-northwest, to an interchange with [[U.S. Route 1 in South Carolina|US&nbsp;1]]/[[U.S. Route 78 in South Carolina|US&nbsp;78]]/[[U.S. Route 278 in South Carolina|US&nbsp;278]] (only signed as "US&nbsp;1"). The highway curves back to the north-northeast and has an interchange with [[South Carolina Highway 126]] (SC&nbsp;126; Clearwater Road). During a slight westward shift is an interchange with [[U.S. Route 25 in South Carolina|US&nbsp;25]]/[[South Carolina Highway 121|SC&nbsp;121]] (Edgefield Road). Just north-northeast of there, I-520 meets its eastern terminus, another interchange with I-20.

[[File:Augsky2.JPG|thumb|left|[[Downtown Augusta, Georgia|Downtown Augusta]] skyline as seen from the US&nbsp;1 exit in North Augusta (exit&nbsp;17)]]

===Named portions===
In Georgia, I-520 is known as Bobby Jones Expressway for [[golfer]] [[Bobby Jones (golfer)|Bobby Jones]].<ref>{{cite book |url = http://www.kenkrakow.com/gpn/b.pdf |title = Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins |publisher = Winship Press |last = Krakow |first = Kenneth K. |year = 1975 |location = Macon, GA |page = 21 |isbn = 0-915430-00-2 }}</ref> In South Carolina, it is known as Palmetto Parkway for the [[sabal palmetto]], the [[state tree]]. Between exits&nbsp;2 and 3, the highway is known as the Deputy James D. Paugh Memorial Highway after a Richmond County sheriff's deputy who was killed at exit&nbsp;3 when responding to reports of a gunman who was shooting at passing cars.<ref name="Namesake">{{cite web |url = http://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/en-US/display/20112012/HR/1103 |title = 2011-2012 Regular Session - HR 1103: Deputy James D. Paugh Memorial Highway; Richmond County; dedicate |publisher = [[Georgia State Senate]] |location = Atlanta |format = PDF |access-date = April 5, 2014 }}</ref> I-520 loses its state route designation in South Carolina, as that state does not co-number its Interstates with state highway numbers.

==History==
The highway that would become I-520 was under [[Road construction|construction]] between May&nbsp;1963 and January&nbsp;1966 from its western terminus to just south of the US&nbsp;1/SR&nbsp;4 interchange in Augusta. Also, it was proposed to be an extension of SR&nbsp;232, at least as far as US&nbsp;25/SR&nbsp;121.<ref name="GDOT 1963">{{cite GDOT map |year = 1963 |access-date = December 27, 2016 }}</ref><ref name="GDOT 1966">{{cite GDOT map |year = 1966 |access-date = December 27, 2016 }}</ref> In 1966, the highway was open and signed as SR&nbsp;232 from I-20 to Wrightsboro Road. It was under construction from US&nbsp;1/SR&nbsp;4 to Doug Barnard Parkway.<ref name="GDOT 1966"/><ref name="GDOT 1967">{{cite GDOT map |year = 1967 |access-date = December 27, 2016 }}</ref> In 1974, SR&nbsp;232 was open from Wrightsboro Road to US&nbsp;1/SR&nbsp;4.<ref name="GDOT 1974">{{cite GDOT map |year = 1974 |access-date = December 27, 2016 }}</ref><ref name="GDOT 1975">{{cite GDOT map |year = 1975 |access-date = December 27, 2016 }}</ref> In 1977, the highway was redesignated as I-520.<ref name="GDOT 1977"/><ref name="GDOT 1978"/> The next year, it was open from US&nbsp;1/SR&nbsp;4 to Doug Barnard Parkway.<ref name="GDOT 1978"/><ref name="GDOT 1979">{{cite GDOT map |year = 1979 |access-date = December 27, 2016 }}</ref> In 1986, the highway was under construction from Doug Barnard Parkway to SR&nbsp;28.<ref name="GDOT 1986">{{cite GDOT map |year = 1986 |access-date = December 27, 2016 }}</ref><ref name="GDOT 1987">{{cite GDOT map |year = 1987 |access-date = December 27, 2016 }}</ref> In 1998, this segment was opened.<ref name="GDOT 1998">{{cite GDOT map |year = 1998 |access-date = December 27, 2016 }}</ref><ref name="GDOT 1999">{{cite GDOT map |year = 1999 |access-date = December 27, 2016 }}</ref> The next year, it was proposed to be extended to the South Carolina state line.<ref name="GDOT 1999"/><ref name="GDOT 2000">{{cite GDOT map |year = 2000 |access-date = December 27, 2016 }}</ref> In 2004, this extension was opened.<ref name="GDOT 2004">{{cite GDOT map |year = 2004 |access-date = December 27, 2016 }}</ref><ref name="GDOT 2005">{{cite GDOT map |year = 2005 |access-date = December 27, 2016 }}</ref> In 2010, the highway was extended to its current eastern terminus in the northern part of North Augusta.<ref name="GDOT 2010">{{cite GDOT map |year = 2010 |access-date = December 27, 2016 }}</ref><ref name="GDOT 2011">{{cite GDOT map |year = 2011 |access-date = December 27, 2016 }}</ref>

In January&nbsp;2015, {{convert|4.7|mi|km}} of I-520 were expanded to three lanes in each direction after work started in February&nbsp;2012 for a cost of $33&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web |title = I-520 Lane Expansion and Interchange Project Complete |url = http://www.wrdw.com/home/headlines/33-million-I-520-lane-expansion-and-interchange-complete-289444131.html |date = January 22, 2015 |location = August, GA |publisher = [[WRDW-TV]] |access-date = October 12, 2015 |archive-date = July 3, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150703135655/http://www.wrdw.com/home/headlines/33-million-I-520-lane-expansion-and-interchange-complete-289444131.html |url-status = dead }}</ref>
{{Clear}}

==Exit list==
{{jcttop|exit|state_col=state|hatnote=In accordance with [[MUTCD]] guidelines for auxiliary Interstates, exit numbering is continuous across the state line and does not reset.|length_ref=<ref>{{cite web |title=Highway Logmile Report (I-520) |url=https://ris.scdot.org/LogMileReport.aspx?county=2&type=1&number=520&auxiliary=0&map=y |publisher=[[South Carolina Department of Transportation]] |access-date=December 12, 2020 |date=December 12, 2020}}</ref>}}
{{GAint|exit
|sspan=9
|county=Richmond
|cspan=9
|location=Augusta
|lspan=9
|mile=0.0
|type=concur
|exit=1
|road={{jct|state=GA|I|20|name1=Carl Sanders Highway / [[Georgia State Route 402|SR&nbsp;402]]|SR|232|dir2=west|name2=Bobby Jones Expressway west|location1=[[Atlanta]]|location2=[[Columbia, South Carolina|Columbia]]|city3=Martinez}}
|notes=Western end of unsigned [[Georgia State Route 415|SR&nbsp;415]] concurrency; western terminus of I-520 and unsigned SR&nbsp;415; eastern terminus of SR&nbsp;232; signed as exits 1A (west) and 1B (east) eastbound; SR&nbsp;232 takes on the Bobby Jones Expressway name; I-20 exit 196 
}}
{{GAint|exit
|mile=0.4
|exit=1C
|road=[[Wheeler Road]]
|notes=Westbound ramps connect to Marks Church Road.
}}
{{GAint|exit
|mile=1.9
|exit=2
|road={{jct|state=GA|road|[[Wrightsboro Road]]|location1=[[Daniel Field]]|location2=[[Augusta University]]|location3=[[Paine College]]}}
}}
{{GAint|exit
|mile=3.1
|exit=3
|road={{jct|state=GA|US|78|US|278|SR|10|name3=[[Gordon Highway]]|location1=[[Fort Eisenhower]]}}
|notes=Deputy James D. Paugh Memorial Interchange
}}
{{GAint|exit
|mile=5.3
|exit=5
|road={{jct|state=GA|US|1|SR|4|name2=Deans Bridge Road|SR|540|dir3=west|name3=Fall Line Freeway|city1=Wrens|city2=Augusta}}
|notes=Eastern terminus of SR&nbsp;540 (Fall Line Freeway); Henry L. Howard Memorial Interchange
}}
{{GAint|exit
|mile=7.2
|exit=7
|road={{jct|state=GA|US|25|name1=Peach Orchard Road / [[Georgia State Route 121|SR&nbsp;121]] / [[Savannah River Parkway]] / [[Georgia State Route 555|SR&nbsp;555]] / [[Georgia State Route 565|SR&nbsp;565]]|road|[[Transportation in Augusta, Georgia#Windsor Spring Road|Windsor Spring Road]]}}
|notes=[[Split diamond interchange]] 
}}
{{GAint|exit
|mile=8.7
|exit=9
|road={{jct|state=GA|SR|56|name1=Mike Padgett Highway}}
}}
{{GAint|exit
|mile=9.9
|exit=10
|road={{jct|state=GA|road|[[Doug Barnard Parkway]]|location1=[[Augusta Regional Airport]]|extra=airport}}
|notes=Former [[Georgia State Route 56 Spur (Augusta)|SR&nbsp;56 Spur]]
}}
{{GAint|exit
|mile=14.5
|exit=16
|road={{jct|state=GA|SR|28|name1=Sand Bar Ferry Road|road|[[Transportation in Augusta, Georgia#Laney Walker Boulevard|Laney Walker Boulevard]]|location1=Fairgrounds}}
|notes=[[Split diamond interchange]] 
}}
{{jctbridge|exit
|mile=15.62
|type=concur
|river_wide=yes
|river=[[Savannah River]]
|bridge=[[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]–[[South Carolina]] state line; eastern end of unsigned [[Georgia State Route 415|SR&nbsp;415]] concurrency; eastern terminus of SR&nbsp;415 and [[Bobby Jones Expressway]]; western terminus of Palmetto Parkway
}}
{{SCint|exit
|sspan=4
|county=Aiken
|cspan=4
|location=North Augusta
|lspan=4
|mile=17.41
|exit=17
|road={{jct|state=SC|US|1|name1=[[Jefferson Davis Highway]] / [[U.S. Route 78 in South Carolina|US&nbsp;78]] / [[U.S. Route 278 in South Carolina|US&nbsp;278]]|city1=Aiken|city2=North Augusta}}
}}
{{SCint|exit
|mile=20.60
|exit=21
|road={{jct|state=SC|SC|126|name1=Clearwater Road}}
}}
{{SCint|exit
|mile=22.21
|exit=22
|road={{jct|state=SC|road|[[U.S. Route 25 Connector (North Augusta, South Carolina)|US&nbsp;25 Conn.]]|to2=y|US|25|SC|121|city1=North Augusta|city2=Edgefield}}
}}
{{SCint|exit
|mile=23.34
|exit=—
|road={{jct|state=SC|I|20|name1=J. Strom Thurmond Freeway|location1=[[Atlanta]]|city2=Columbia}}
|notes=Eastern terminus of I-520 and Palmetto Parkway; eastbound exit and westbound entrance; I-20 exit 6
}}
{{jctbtm|col=8|keys=concur}}

==See also==
* {{Portal-inline|Georgia (U.S. state)}}
* {{Portal-inline|U.S. roads}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{AttachedKML|display=title,inline}}
* {{Commons category-inline}}
* {{cite web |url = http://www.augustaga.gov/DocumentCenter/Home/View/341 |title = Transportation |publisher = Augusta.gov |location = [[Augusta, Georgia]] |access-date = April 5, 2014 }}
* [https://www.interstate-guide.com/i-520-augusta/ Interstate Guide-Interstate 520]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110821163023/http://www.southeastroads.com/i-520_ga.html Southeast Roads-Interstate 520]

{{3di|20}}

[[Category:Auxiliary Interstate Highways|20-5]]
[[Category:Interstate Highways in Georgia (U.S. state)|20-5]]
[[Category:Interstate Highways in South Carolina|20-5]]
[[Category:Transportation in Richmond County, Georgia]]
[[Category:Transportation in Augusta, Georgia|Interstate 20-5]]
[[Category:Transportation in Aiken County, South Carolina]]
[[Category:Interstate 20|5]]