News 12 at 6 o'clock; July 24, 2008

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. --- There's a lot of confusion for people driving in between and around all the orange construction cones near the Palmetto Parkway.

There is the smell of fresh pavement and a new roadway, signs of the construction going in the right direction. But some people are confused on just what the right direction is.

There's house construction going on near the Palmetto Parkway, and of course there's the Palmetto Parkway construction too. It's turning into a winding road of confusion for some.

"It is confusing," says Shirley Barnes.

"Very, very (confusing)," says Crystal Smith.

But for others, not so much.

"Because I know where I'm going," says Stevie Huff.

It's halfway home for the Palmetto Parkway, which will connect I-20 and US 1 in South Carolina. As the days go by, the road changes and the confusion mounts.

"Each day it's almost if something new is going on," says Shirley.

And, there is. Orange cones still line the roads, but a new Clearwater Road is open to use.

"The new route is a lot easier. It's all downhill and it doesn't have this sharp, sharp curve on it," says Crystal Smith.

But, further on down on Ascauga Lake Road - well - that's a different story.

"I don't even want to talk about that road, it's awful over there," says Crystal.

A new bridge should help, scheduled to be open by November.

"Right now, it's pretty unsafe," says Stevie Huff.

Huff lives next to the construction and knows why people are confused.

"At one time, they had this road (White Hall Dr) blocked off while they were moving the roadway over and people didn't know whether to go down or to turn in. Some even moved the signs they had up here," says Huff.

So, there is some confusion now, but just wait; there's a smoother ride to come.

"It'll be good thing in the end," says Crystal.

"Hopefully, it'll be worth it! Hopefully," says Stevie.

Construction on the entire roadway is scheduled to be finished by the end of next year.