South Carolina Department of Transportation

Work is underway on the I-20 bridges over the Wateree River in Kershaw County. Crews have begun clearing the way for the center of the new bridge to be built.   After the middle is constructed, crews will widen the eastbound and westbound sides. The finished bridge will be one, four-lane bridge instead of two separate structures you see today.   Lane closures and traffic shifts will continue on I-20 throughout construction. SCDOT asks that you please use caution and slow down when driving through work zones. 

Getting out on the road? Plan your best route in advance by checking 511sc.org or using the 511 mobile app for real-time traffic information. And have a safe drive!

From Miami to Maine, Interstate 95 is the signature north-south driving route along the East Coast of the United States. In South Carolina, I-95 takes drivers from the Lowcountry, across the Santee Cooper lakes region, and up through the Pee Dee. Our state’s portion of the Interstate is approximately 200 miles long and includes 165 bridges. SCDOT is planning for the future infrastructure needs along the I-95 corridor. A key piece of this will be replacing the existing bridges on I-95 over Lake Marion near Santee, which see approximately 40,000 vehicles per day. These steel twin-span plate girder bridges were constructed in 1968 and are nearing the end of their useful life. With preliminary design and public involvement activities underway for this three-mile project, SCDOT has submitted a federal grant application to request the estimated $175 million required to complete the I-95 Lake Marion Bridge Replacement Project. 

Interstate 26 is South Carolina’s Main Street. I-26 connects South Carolinians with work and educational opportunities, supports the state’s economic activity, and welcomes guests who travel to the Palmetto State for work or play. From the foothills of the Upstate to the marshes of the Lowcountry, bridges serve as vital links along I-26, connecting stretches of roadway and providing an uninterrupted drive. In fact, there are 145 total bridges on I-26, crossing over roads, railroads, and bodies of water. Pictured are two I-26 bridges over US 29 in Spartanburg County that see an average of 53,900 vehicles per day. With a growing state population and traffic projected to continue increasing, our work to Fix I-26 will continue to be a priority for SCDOT – bridges and all.

Want to learn more about how South Carolina is planning for the future of electric vehicle charging? SCDOT is hosting a virtual public meeting where you can learn more about the SC+EV initiative and provide feedback. We hope you can join us on June 4, 2024, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Learn more about the meeting and find the link to attend on our website at https://lnkd.in/e2X3c_7r. 

SCDOT committed to rehabilitating or replacing 500 aging bridges in our 10-Year Strategic Plan. We have kept this promise, with work on 338 bridges completed or underway. Here’s a look at some South Carolina bridges that have been, or are in the process of, being replaced.

As a part of our 10-Year Strategic Plan, SCDOT committed to rehabilitating or replacing 500 aging bridges. We have kept this promise, with 338 bridges completed or underway. Using state bridge inventory data and inspection results, SCDOT makes plans to address each bridge while also making the best use of available resources. In some cases, the useful life of a bridge may be extended through a combination of major repair, rehabilitation, or preservation work. Here’s a look at some of the bridges on our system that have undergone such work.

Built in 1959, the Church Street Bridge is a prominent landmark in the City of Greenville, carrying US 29 over McBee Avenue and East Broad Street. As the bridge has aged and traffic volumes have increased, a large-scale bridge rehabilitation is needed to address the deteriorating bridge deck, update the storm drainage system on the bridge, and improve the overall condition of the structure. SCDOT makes it a priority to involve the public throughout the planning and construction of bridge rehab or replacement projects such as this one. Recently, SCDOT held a drop-in style public meeting about construction phasing, suggested alternative routes, detours, and potential traffic impacts as the Church Street Bridge project moves toward an anticipated construction date in early 2025.

This oversized load, weighing more than 800,000 lbs., made its way up US 321 on Sunday, May 19. Carrying manufacturing components and headed toward Interstate 77, the load began its journey through South Carolina in Charleston County. The caravan made its way from Charleston and traveled on US 321 in Bamberg and Orangeburg counties until reaching Interstate 77 for the final leg of its journey. In order for loads like this one to travel South Carolina roads and bridges, SCDOT must review and approve oversize overweight permits applications that specify load dimensions, weights, and intended routes. This process ensures that roads and bridges along the way can accommodate the very large loads as they reach their destinations. On average, SCDOT reviews several hundred applications per day for oversize and overweight loads. This is just one way our roads and bridges keep South Carolina’s economy moving forward.

As part of our Strategic 10-Year Plan, SCDOT is actively working to rehabilitate or replace aging bridges across South Carolina, to prevent any disruptions to our road and bridge network. Many of our aging bridges are load posted, meaning the bridges cannot accommodate heavy vehicles often used for commercial purposes, such as freight carriers or logging trucks. In 2023, SCDOT announced the receipt of a $51.2 million Federal Highway Administration grant to help replace six load-posted bridges in Union County: US 176 over Padgetts Creek, SC 72 over Coxs Creek, SC 215 over Fairforest Creek, SC 49 over Tyger River, SC 49 over Fairforest Creek, and SC 114 over Sandy Run Creek. These six Union County bridges are more than 60 years old and each is nearing the end of its service life. The bridges are in fair or poor condition and have vehicle load restrictions posted. Located in a rural area bounded by Interstates 26, 85, and 77, the bridges are located on cross-connectors between these national freight routes. SCDOT is currently nearing the end of procurement, which bundles the six bridges together into one contract to make the most of time, funding, and resources. Construction on the Union County bridges is expected to start later this year. Meanwhile, 675 other bridges throughout South Carolina are also load posted, a figure that will continue to grow as many bridges reach the end of their useful life. SCDOT will continue working to rehabilitate or replace these bridges as needed to ensure the state's road and bridge network is available to serve the industries that fuel South Carolina's economy.