Florence’s Jeffries Creek sewer work already changed traffic near Magnolia Mall
Florence SC – A short eastbound lane closure on David McLeod Boulevard has reopened, but it shows Jeffries Creek sewer work is already affecting mall-area traffic.
Drivers near Magnolia Mall have already felt the first traffic impact from Florence’s Jeffries Creek Sanitary Sewer Phase I project.
The city said the right eastbound lane of David McLeod Boulevard near the mall was temporarily closed from May 6 through May 8 and has since reopened. Even though the lane is back open, the brief disruption is a reminder that the sewer project is moving from planning into work that can affect daily travel for commuters, shoppers, and businesses along one of Florence’s busiest retail corridors.
The lane change matters because David McLeod Boulevard is a key access road for the Magnolia Mall area. When utility work narrows a travel lane there, even short-term closures can slow traffic, affect turning patterns, and make it harder to move through the area at peak shopping or commute times.
The project itself is not just about roadwork. Florence says the Jeffries Creek Sanitary Sewer Phase I effort is part of its broader push to improve sewer and water utility infrastructure. In practical terms, that means the city is working on systems that serve homes, businesses, and future growth, even if the most visible effect for now is a short-lived traffic adjustment near the mall.
The city has also scheduled a public information meeting for June 8 to explain the project and what residents and nearby property owners can expect next. That meeting is the next clear chance for the public to get details on the scope of the work, the project timeline, and the kind of access or traffic changes that may come with it.
For residents and workers in Florence, the takeaway is simple: the Jeffries Creek sewer project is already reaching beyond paperwork and into the streets. The May lane closure has ended, but it shows the utility upgrade is active and likely to bring more short-term disruptions as work continues.
For people who drive, shop, or work near Magnolia Mall, the main thing to watch is whether additional traffic shifts show up as the project advances. For the city, the challenge is carrying out infrastructure upgrades while keeping one of Florence’s most heavily used commercial areas moving.
