Environmental groups ask to halt SC port expansion

COLUMBIA - Two environmental groups have asked a federal judge to stop construction on a new port terminal on the old Navy base in North Charleston.

The Coastal Conservation League and Southern Environmental Law Center asked Monday for an injunction. They want to wait until federal highway officials evaluate if Interstate 26 can handle an additional 10,000 vehicles a day the new terminal would bring or if adding rail lines would help.

Plans call for a three-mile, four-lane road from the new terminal to I-26. Plans also call for reworking an interchange and widening I-26.

State Ports Authority officials say they'll fight the injunction because the expansion is critical to keep cargo ships coming to South Carolina, especially at a time when unemployment is at record highs.