Governor McMaster confirms the bomb threat is closing a portion of I-85 in Greenville Co. during routine traffic stops

On January 3, 2025By Littum

Editor’s note: The spill was originally reported as a hazardous materials spill on the SCDOT website. Officials said it was an automated system error.

GREENVILLE, SC (FOX Carolina) – The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office said one person is in custody after a suspicious package was found Thursday on I-85.

According to the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT), the incident caused a backup near Exit 44 at White Horse Road in Greenville. Officials are asking drivers to avoid this area. From 7:23 p.m. I-85 is still closed.

Greenville County dispatch said the incident involved a tractor-trailer.

Deputies said SWAT and Bomb team members are on scene assisting South Carolina State Transportation Police, who requested assistance following a traffic stop just after 1 p.m. 3:30 p.m

The State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) bomb squad and the FBI are also assisting with this investigation.

Governor Henry McMacter mentioned the incident in a post on social media platform X.

Congressman William Timmons also wrote about the incident at X.

Thank you to the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, SLED and SCDOT for their quick response to the incident today on I-85 in Greenville. We will continue to monitor the situation and remain in contact with local authorities.

— Congressman William Timmons (@RepTimmons) 2 January 2025

SCDOT officials issued detour instructions for those traveling northbound and southbound.

I-85 northbound detour instructions:

Those traveling I-85 northbound will exit I-85 at mile marker 40 and then turn left onto SC 153. Drivers will then take SC 153 (Brown Road) to SC 20 (Piedmont Highway). Drivers will turn left onto Piedmont Motorway to Bracken Road and turn left onto Bracken Road. Then go to US 25 (Augusta Road) and turn left at US 25 and go north to SC 291 and back to I-85N. Traffic enters I-85 at mile marker 46.

I-85 southbound detour instructions:

Those traveling I-85 southbound will exit I-85 at mile marker 46 (SC 291) and turn left on SC 291. Drivers can then travel south on US 25 (Augusta Road) to Bracken Road and turn right on Bracken Road. Then go to SC 20 (Piedmont Highway) and go to Brown Road (SC 153) and turn left on Brown Road. From there, drivers can get back on SC 153 to I-85 at mile marker 40.

To help with the flow of traffic, SCDOT officials said the Southern Connector tollway is currently raising tolls to keep traffic moving around the closure.

Stay with FOX Carolina as we work to learn more details.