Hundreds of tractor-trailers were spotted along I-526 on Wednesday afternoon, causing heavy traffic and delays as they waited to enter the Wando Welch terminal in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. The congestion stretched from Long Point Road to the eastbound lanes of I-526, with long lines of 18-wheelers and vehicles extending past the Don Holt Bridge for most of the day.

Officials from SC Ports informed News 2 that their gates were open and actively processing trucks, trying to alleviate the backup. The substantial traffic was a result of increased demand due to the terminal's two-day closure.

To assist motorists, the Mount Pleasant Police urged drivers to seek alternate routes away from the area of Long Point Road and Interstate 526, which were heavily affected by the congestion. Mount Pleasant Mayor Will Haynie took to his social media page, X (formerly known as Twitter), to inform residents that local law enforcement was present, ensuring public safety and helping residents navigate through the backed-up port traffic.

The South Carolina Ports Authority faced technical issues with a server over the weekend, leading to a delay in opening operations on Monday morning. The delay persisted into Tuesday afternoon. As a result, the marine terminals and inland ports did not accept cargo pickup or drop-off offers during this period.

Late on Tuesday, SC Ports announced the reopening of gate and yard operations, indicating a return to normal functioning. To address the backlog caused by the closure, officials extended gate hours on Thursday and Friday. Dry container trucks would be processed starting at 3 a.m. on those days at the Wando Welch and North Charleston Terminals. However, this extension only applies to dry containers and not reefers.

With gate operations back online, SC Ports aims to minimize disruptions and expedite the processing of trucks at the Wando Welch terminal. Motorists are advised to stay updated on any further developments and consider alternative routes to avoid the heavy traffic in the affected areas.

The extended gate hours on Thursday and Friday provide an opportunity for the terminals to catch up on the backlog caused by the closure, ensuring smoother operations at the Wando Welch terminal moving forward.