en.Wedoany.com Reported - The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) and the U.S. Department of Transportation recently jointly announced the groundbreaking ceremony for the replacement project of the Interstate 95 bridge over Lake Marion. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, U.S. Representative James E. Clyburn, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, and officials from the Federal Highway Administration attended the ceremony.
The bridge project will replace the existing north-south twin bridges over Lake Marion, which were built in 1968. The newly designed bridges will feature widened decks, added standard shoulders, wider lanes, and a barrier-separated multi-use path connecting to the Palmetto Trail. The total project investment is approximately $490 million, of which $175 million in federal grants comes from the Bridge Investment Program, making it one of the largest federal discretionary grants ever received by SCDOT.
Governor Henry McMaster stated: "Today's groundbreaking is a proud moment for the South Carolina team, and it is a testament to what can be accomplished when state and federal partners work together to serve the people of South Carolina. These new bridges will strengthen one of our most important transportation corridors, improve safety for drivers, and drive continued economic development across our state."
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham pointed out that a failure of the existing bridges would result in a detour of approximately 70 miles. According to SCDOT data, approximately 38,900 vehicles (including trucks) pass over the bridge daily. I-95 is one of the busiest interstates in the United States, connecting key markets from Florida to Maine.
The bridge project includes the complete replacement of both bridge structures and improvements to the adjacent roadway approaches. Construction will be carried out in phases to minimize impacts on traffic. This section also serves as a crucial part of the coastal evacuation route during the Atlantic hurricane season.
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