Construction Begins on Powderhouse Connector in Aiken, SC

AIKEN, SC—On March 28, the City of Aiken broke ground on the Powderhouse Connector, a major infrastructure project aimed at easing congestion along the busy Whiskey Road corridor. The groundbreaking ceremony marked the start of Phase One—a $14.97 million effort to create an alternate route between South Centennial Avenue and Whiskey Road that will improve mobility and safety in the area.

The Powderhouse Connector is a key component of the City’s broader Whiskey Road Corridor Congestion Relief program, which was developed to improve operational safety, accommodate pedestrians and cyclists and create economic opportunities in the area. Once complete, the overall project will span approximately 2.35 miles through currently undeveloped properties, creating a new three-lane urban parkway featuring bike lanes, a multi-use path, landscaped median, underground utilities and a closed-pipe storm sewer network.

Benesch has been involved in the project from its early stages, providing design services for Phase One and working closely with property owners to secure major rights-of-way donations. The project was designed and phased to meet budgetary constraints, with Phase One funded through local contributions and a grant from the South Carolina State Infrastructure Bank.

The first phase will extend from the intersection of Whiskey Road and Oak Grove Road eastward to a new roundabout, then north to the intersection of Corporate Parkway and South Centennial Avenue—offering a much-needed bypass for Whiskey Road. A regional detention pond will also be constructed to support future development in the area. Construction is expected to last 16 months.

Rick Toole, PE, AICP, a retired Division Manager at Benesch, spoke at the ceremony, highlighting the team effort it took to get the project to construction. He joined Benesch Project Manager Oliver Weston, PE, and other city and community leaders to officially break ground.

“It’s really exciting to see this project moving forward,” said Oliver. “Our goal was to design a corridor that not only improves mobility but also supports long-term growth for the area.”

Phase Two will extend the corridor east and northeast to complete the connection between Whiskey Road and Powderhouse Road. Once finished, the Powderhouse Connector will provide safer, more accessible travel for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians—delivering lasting benefits to the Aiken community.