What South Carolina Plans to do About Thousands of Quickly Aging Bridges
South Carolina is confronting a significant challenge with its aging bridge infrastructure, as approximately 2,400 bridges across the state have surpassed 60 years of age, with many nearing their designed lifespan of 75 years. Transportation Secretary Justin Powell highlighted that this number is expected to rise to about 3,900 in the next decade if current funding levels remain unchanged. To address this, the state has received a $175 million federal grant to replace bridges on Interstate 95 and allocated $200 million in state funds for bridge repairs and replacements. This state funding will be split between major routes and secondary bridges, aiming to accelerate the repair and replacement process.
Despite the extensive need for bridge maintenance, Powell assured the public that safety remains a top priority. The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) conducts regular inspections of nearly 10,000 publicly owned bridges, closing or restricting those deemed unsafe. While the $200 million from the General Assembly will provide a substantial boost, Powell emphasized that continued financial support will be necessary to maintain and improve the state’s bridge infrastructure in the long term. As state agencies prepare their budget requests for the coming year, securing additional funding will be crucial to sustaining these efforts.
