Celebrating 20 Years of the Ravenel Bridge and a Stronger Future for South Carolina’s Bridges
A Message from Secretary Powell
| | Secretary of Transportation Justin Powell commemorates the 20th anniversary of the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge in Charleston, while announcing the agency’s progress in addressing bridges throughout the state. With an investment of $200 million from the General Assembly and SCDOT’s newly established Bridge Management Office, efforts to modernize our bridge network have been accelerated. | | SCDOT employees Pete Poore, Daniel Burton, and Tim Henderson reflect on their involvement with the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge as it marks its 20th anniversary. Opened on July 17, 2005, the bridge connects Charleston and Mt. Pleasant and has become a signature structure in the Charleston area. | | Demolition Underway on I-20 Westbound Bridge over Wateree River | | |
In late July, crews began demolishing the old I-20 westbound bridge over the Wateree River in Kershaw County. Before demolition began, traffic had already been shifted onto the new westbound bridge. To streamline the process, crews pre-cut the old bridge spans, allowing for a more controlled demolition.
The project is proceeding on schedule, per SCDOT Project Manager Santosh Nair. “This means we can reasonably hope to complete the new bridge at the location of the old I-20 westbound structure and open it for eastbound traffic before July 4, 2026,” said Nair.
As work continues on the I-20 bridge project, SCDOT reminds drivers to slow down and stay alert while driving in work zones.
| | Focused Fixes: How SCDOT Tackles Regional Bridge Repairs | | |
At SCDOT, engineers often work on special projects known as “bridge packages” - groups of bridges within a specific region that are scheduled for rehabilitation. This approach allows crews to efficiently plan and carry out improvements across multiple structures.
Resident Construction Engineer David Reece recently shared an overview of how these bridge packages are managed, highlighting the work completed in July on the US 221 bridge over the Enoree River.
| | Upstate Safety Update: SC 183 (Farrs Bridge Road) in Pickens County | | SCDOT is continuing to work on improving the SC 183 corridor in Pickens County. Earlier this year, SCDOT and its partners began enhancing the intersection of SC 183 (Farrs Bridge Rd) and Ireland Road. A left turn lane is being installed to improve traffic safety in that area. The project is making swift progress and is scheduled to be completed this fall. | | Turning Public Voices Into Safer Intersections in Chester County | | |
At SCDOT, we value public input on every project. Each public meeting provides an opportunity for residents to speak directly with our engineers, ask questions, and share feedback. Our Public Involvement team collects written comments at these meetings, and most projects also include a public comment period to gather input online.
The comment period recently closed for a proposed roundabout at the intersection of US 21 (Catawba River Road) and SC 9 (Lancaster Highway) in Chester County. Our program managers have reviewed all submitted feedback and are taking these comments into consideration as they move forward with planning and design.
Construction on the roundabout is expected to begin in summer 2026 and will take approximately 18 months to complete. A detour will be in place during construction, using US 21 (Catawba River Road), SC 200 (Great Falls Highway), SC 914 (Memorial Park Road), SC 9 (Lancaster Highway), Grace Avenue, and Boundary Road.
| | CMRB Reconstruction Upgrading, Transforming Florence County Roads | | |
Construction on Old River Road in Florence County is well underway. More than 12 miles of this roadway is being reconstructed from the ground up through a process called Cement Modified Recycled Base (CMRB). This process involves milling the roadway down to specified depth, mixing the milled material with cement and then reapplying it to the roadway to be compacted to create a new road foundation or base.
After which, at least one surface course (or riding surface) is paved over top, giving riders a smooth new riding surface for years to come. The Old River Road CMRB project started in March 2025 and expected to be complete by summer 2026.
| | Improving Rural Road Safety on US 17A in Dorchester County | | |
SCDOT is working to make a 9-mile stretch of US 17A safer for drivers, from the Dorchester/Colleton County line to the Ashley River Bridge. This project is a part of the Rural Roads Safety Program, an initiative focused on reducing serious and fatal crashes on South Carolina’s rural roads.
Key safety improvements include:
- Widened and newly paved shoulders
- Brighter, more visible pavement markings
- Rumble strips along the centerline and edgelines
- Roadside clearing to improve visibility
- Flattened slopes for safer run-off areas
- New guardrail installation in critical locations
US 17A is a key route in Dorchester County, and these improvements are designed to reduce the risk of crashes on rural roads. Construction is ongoing and expected to be complete by late 2025.
| | US 178 Reopens After Emergency Flood Repairs in Orangeburg County | | |
US 178 near Waters Ferry Road in Orangeburg County has reopened after flash flooding caused the roadbed to collapse in November 2024.
SCDOT crews acted quickly, replacing the damaged section with six large concrete pipes to manage creek and watershed flow. The team rebuilt the roadway, installed drainage and erosion controls, and placed 1,400 tons of rip rap to prevent future washouts.
With improved drainage and a reinforced roadbed, US 178 is now more resilient to future storms. The road reopened in August 2025.
| | Hands-Free SC Signed into Law in South Carolina | | |
This message is from the SC Department of Public Safety:
Starting September 1, the new hands-free law requires drivers to put down their phones, tablets, and other electronic devices while driving and keep their focus on the road.
Under the Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Law, drivers are not allowed to:
-
Hold or support a mobile device with any part of their body.*
-
Use a mobile device to read, compose, or transmit texts, emails, app interactions, or website information.
-
Watch motion on a mobile device, including a video, movie, game, or video call.
*This does not prohibit the use of an earpiece or device worn on the wrist used for voice-based communication.
Penalties for violating this law include the following:
- First offense: $100 fine
- Second, subsequent offenses: $200 fine and two points on driver's license
Exceptions to the hands-free law include using a device in hands-free mode; using a device while legally stopped; or to report a wreck, emergency, or safety hazard to a public safety official.
To read more about South Carolina's hands-free law, visit Hands Free SC | SCDPS.
| | Richland County Penny Sales Tax | | |
In July, SCDOT Chief Engineer for Project Delivery, John Boylston, participated in the 2025 State of the Penny address hosted by Richland County Council in Columbia. He shared updates on SCDOT’s coordination with the County to support a range of transportation projects across the region.
These updates help keep the public and voters informed about how their support directly contributes to improving local roads and infrastructure. They also offer insight into current progress and future plans aimed at enhancing transportation routes in Richland County.
| | |
The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge recently celebrated its 20th anniversary.
Pictured below in 2005 just months before its opening ceremony, this impressive structure, stretching 1,546 feet long and standing 570 feet tall, is seen casting a long shadow over its predecessors the Grace Memorial Bridge and Silas Pearman Bridge.
| | Safety Spotlight: School Traffic | | Pictured above: SCDOT is proud to introduce the 2025 LEAD Class graduates! This 180-hour course allows employees in various roles throughout the agency to learn and prepare for leadership in the future. Congratulations to our LEAD graduates! | | | | | |
