Charleston drivers will soon have an alternate route around Highway 17 traffic. Authorities received $420 million from the State Infrastructure Bank to expand the Mark Clark Expressway.

Right now it runs from Highway 17 North in Mount Pleasant to Highway 17 South in West Ashley. The new extension would connect 17 south to Maybank Highway, and Maybank Highway to Folly Road.

The money comes as a huge relief to Lowcountry officials. They've been wooing members of the state infrastructure bank for months, and competition with other road projects was fierce.

"We just need to give our legislative delegation an awful lot of credit for this occurring," said DOT Commissioner Bob Harrell. "We have such a powerful group representing us in Charleston that when they decide they want something to happen, the infrastructure bank and other government entities listen."

The bank is also lending the DOT $93 million to widen a stretch of Highway 17 between Gardens Corner and Jacksonboro. 33 people have died since 19-97 on this highway.