U.S. Route 521 - History

History

Established in 1932, it was overlapped entirely with SC 26, from Georgetown to the North Carolina state line, where it continued with NC 26 into Pineville, where it ended at US 21/NC 261 (now NC 51. In 1933, SC 26 was decommissioned; followed in 1934 with the decommissioning of NC 26.

In 1949, US 521 was rerouted in Williamsburg County to run directly from Andrews, through Salters and Greeleyville, to Manning; which replaced SC 171 and part of SC 261, the old alignment became part of SC 377 and SC 261. Between 1962-64, US 521 was rerouted at the Sumter-Kershaw county line to Camden; the old alignment became an extension of SC 261.

In 1969, US 521 was extended 19 miles (31 km) north, via South Boulevard, Woodlawn Road, and Billy Graham Parkway, to Interstate 85 in Charlotte.

Between 1986-88, US 521 was moved west onto new highway west of Dalzell, bypassing the town; the old alignment was downgraded to secondary roads.

In 1996, US 521 was rerouted onto Interstate 485, between exits 61 to 65; the old alignment was downgraded to secondary roads. In 2003, AASHTO approved US 521 to be truncated at its current northern terminus at the Johnston Road/Interstate 485 interchange; its old alignment north to Interstate 85 was downgraded to secondary roads.