Interstate 526 near the Don Holt Bridge remained closed for much of Thursday, December 18, following an ongoing law enforcement incident that began in the early morning hours and led to significant traffic disruptions across the Charleston region.
According to the South Carolina Department of Transportation, all lanes of I-526 were shut down in both directions between Exit 20 at Virginia Avenue and Exit 23 at Clements Ferry Road. The closure was initiated by the North Charleston Police Department at approximately 3:30 a.m. As of early afternoon, the interstate had remained closed for more than nine hours.
Police have provided limited public information, describing the shutdown as related to an “incident.” Live DOT traffic maps referenced an “obstruction on the roadway.” Authorities have stated that the situation remained active and evolving throughout the day.
During the morning commute, motorists experienced severe delays as traffic was diverted onto surface streets throughout North Charleston, the Charleston peninsula, and Mount Pleasant. The increased congestion contributed to multiple secondary collisions, according to DOT traffic data, and gridlock persisted well into the afternoon.
A visible law enforcement and emergency response presence remained near the Don Holt Bridge throughout the morning. North Charleston Police confirmed they would release additional details once appropriate and directed the public to monitor updates on the department’s CrimeWatch platform.
By mid-morning, Lt. Anthony J. King of the North Charleston Police Department stated the situation was still ongoing. Officials did not confirm the specific nature of the incident at that time.
Later in the day, a Charleston County elected official expressed sharp criticism of how the situation was handled, citing extensive impacts to public safety and commerce. The official stated that emergency services, freight traffic connected to the port, and routine police and medical responses faced hours-long delays as a result of the closure.
According to the official, the incident concluded after nearly 11 hours, when the individual involved surrendered to police. Authorities have not released further information about the individual or the resolution.
As traffic continued to back up across the region, officials urged drivers to seek alternate routes and expect extended delays. Law enforcement has not yet announced when the affected section of I-526 will fully reopen.
The incident underscores the far-reaching effects of major roadway closures in the Lowcountry, particularly during peak travel hours. Further updates are expected once authorities release additional details.
