Construction Progress
Construction Updates
Camp Hall Rail construction is ongoing and is anticipated to continue through summer 2026.
Current Updates
Phase 2 of construction began in summer 2024 and is ongoing. Current construction activities include embankment construction, stormwater pipe installation, and on-land and in-water bridge foundation work at the Diversion Canal. The Palmetto Railways project team has also coordinated with key stakeholders during this phase and hosted a meeting with Berkeley County Emergency Services, which operates north of the Diversion Canal, to discuss the project and necessary emergency response processes. It is expected that phase 2 of the project will take approximately 18 months to complete.
Palmetto Railways received all applicable permits and has given its contractor notice to proceed to begin construction activities for Phase 3 in late 2024. This phase of the project picks up just before the Ranger Road at-grade crossing and will include construction up to the at-grade crossing at SC 311.
Procurement for Phase 4, which is the final phase of construction for the Camp Hall Rail project, is also underway. Contractors will be submitting proposals in January 2025, with an expected notice to proceed in March 2025.
View the Construction Phasing information and map below to read more about construction activities during each phase.
Construction Phasing
Camp Hall Rail construction is being completed in five phases. Phase 1 began at the Volvo Cars facility within the Camp Hall Commerce Park. This phase of construction is being completed entirely within the Commerce Park and does not impact the surrounding communities or roadways. Phase 1 is near complete.
The additional Camp Hall Rail construction activities will occur as follows:
This phase of the project makes initial connection to the existing Santee Cooper owned railroad track, which will in turn connect the Camp Hall Rail Line to the existing CSX rail network near the Santee Cooper Cross Generating Station. Phase 2 will include:
- A connection to existing railroad track made just south of Springwood Road
- Track installed adjacent to the existing track and moving south towards the future interchange yard (where CSX will exchange railcars with Palmetto Railways)
- A public at-grade crossing at Viper Road*
- Continued track moving south that will be raised to cross the Diversion Canal between Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie. This track will be constructed to provide full clearance to any boat traffic in the canal
- Concludes just before the Ranger Road at-grade crossing
*The at-grade crossing at Viper Road, along with all others, will have lights and gates providing notification of the passing trains. This crossing will be constructed in coordination with local and Santee Cooper representatives to ensure that access is never cut off to the Generating Station and neighborhoods at the end of Viper Road.
This phase of the project picks up just before the Ranger Road at-grade crossing. Phase 3 will include:
- Track installed at the Ranger Road at-grade crossing and moving west from the Blacks Camp area
- Track continuing west and south, crossing Old Highway 6 and Shortcut Road
- Community coordination on the scheduled public road crossings*
*Palmetto Railways is committed to coordinating with the community on the construction schedule of the road crossings at Old Highway 6 and Shortcut Road. It also commits to ensuring that only one road crossing is detoured at the same time to limit the impacts on local traffic on the area.
This phase of the project continues southbound work to construct track. Phase 4 will include:
- Track installed moving south towards Highway 176 through the existing silviculture lands
- At-grade crossings at State Road 311 and Mudville Road
- Community coordination on the scheduled public road crossings*
*Palmetto Railways is committed to coordinating with the community to mitigate for impacts to travel near State Road 311 and Mudville Road.
The final phase of Camp Hall construction will connect the proposed track to the already constructed section of track within the Camp Hall Commerce Park. Phase 5 will include:
- Track connection to existing track at the Camp Hall Commerce Park (completed during phase 1)
- Two major roadway at-grade crossings on Highway 176 and Volvo Car Drive*
*Construction of the at-grade crossing at Highway 176 will be scheduled so that there are no impacts during hurricane season and to its evacuation route status.
Construction Commitments
Construction will be completed during daytime hours to minimize noise for the surrounding neighbors. Some detours at the at-grade crossings will be needed throughout construction. These detours will be for short durations and traffic will be directed via signs in the area.