News Summary
The South Carolina Department of Transportation has added five local bridges to its improvement program amid rising safety concerns. Key bridges in Florence and Marion counties are set for restoration, supported by a $200 million allocation from the General Assembly. Public input is encouraged as residents can comment on proposed projects until August 7, 2023. Recent events underscore the pressing need for infrastructure evaluations, as a recent bridge collapse in Pickens County has heightened awareness of bridge safety throughout the state.
Florence, South Carolina — Five local bridges have been added to the improvement program by the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) in response to escalating safety concerns. The bridges targeted for restoration include the U.S. 76 (East Palmetto Street) bridge over Middle Swamp and the Hoffmeyer Road Beaverdam Creek bridge, both located in Florence County. These upgrades come as a part of a significant initiative aimed at enhancing infrastructure across the state.
The Middle Swamp bridge, constructed in 1937, is ranked seventh in priority for improvements. The Beaverdam Creek bridge, built in 1930, follows closely behind with a priority ranking of 34th. In Marion County, two additional bridges on U.S. 76 are also set to be improved: the East Bound bridge over the Great Pee Dee River, built in 1962 and ranked eighth, and the bridge over the Little Pee Dee River, constructed in 1926 and ranked 29th. Lastly, the Lumber Road bridge over Flat Creek, located in Darlington County, is ranked ninth and was built in 1965.
The state’s bridge program updates are enabled through an additional allocation of $200 million from the South Carolina General Assembly. SCDOT aims to advance these bridge projects based on their priority as funding becomes available. As part of this effort, public input is sought to modify the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). Comments on proposed projects will be accepted until August 7, 2023. Residents can share their thoughts online, via mail to Ginny Jones at SCDOT, or by email at SCDOTpubliccomment@scdot.org. For those without internet access, SCDOT District Offices have documents available for public review.
Safety concerns regarding bridges in South Carolina have been heightened following a recent partial collapse of a bridge on Highway 133 in Pickens County. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the event underscored the urgent need for infrastructure evaluations. Duke Energy noted that one of its vehicles nearly encountered the collapsing structure, prompting immediate measures to block traffic and ensure public safety. Prior to the incident, the Highway 133 bridge was being used as a detour due to ongoing construction on nearby Highway 183.
Currently, 69 out of 214 bridges—approximately one in three—within Pickens County are under load restrictions, limiting their access to heavy vehicles such as 18-wheelers. The SCDOT inspects all bridges in its inventory every two years and conducts more frequent assessments for lower-rated bridges. Alarmingly, 54% of South Carolina’s bridges are rated as fair, raising concerns among officials relating to their safety and overall condition.
Local authorities have emphasized the pressing need for increased manpower to effectively manage the large volume of bridge repair projects statewide. As restoration efforts are initiated, the waterway beneath the collapsed bridge will remain closed while assessments and repairs are underway.
The measures being adopted highlight the critical need for proactive infrastructure management in South Carolina as many bridges were built during the 1960s. SCDOT’s intention to enhance bridge safety is an essential step towards ensuring the well-being of motorists across the state.
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Additional Resources
- WYFF4 News
- My Journal Courier
- Scioto Post
- Wikipedia: South Carolina
- Google Search: South Carolina bridges infrastructure
