Significant Infrastructure Allocation: SCDOT Gets $175 Million for I-95 Bridges Over Lake Marion

Federal Funds Accelerate Infrastructure Development

A recent federal funding allocation of $175 million to the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) underlines a critical infrastructure need across Lake Marion. The sizable federal grant is set to stimulate crucial infrastructure changes, with a specific focus on replacing four worn-out bridges over Lake Marion located on Interstate 95.

The Interstate 95, a vital conduit that joins the Eastern Seaboard, accommodates a significant volume of national transportation. Its importance underscores the necessity for safe, modern, and efficient infrastructure. The updated structure, ready to span Lake Marion, will not only facilitate smooth daily operations but also ensure safer transit in periods of extreme weather. The successful procurement of federal funds means the project, now having a total of $350 million, can finally start.

A Vital Initiative for National Safety and Economic Development

The funding appropriation comes amidst growing concerns about the health of the nation’s bridges, heightened by the recent catastrophic bridge collapse in Maryland after a cargo ship indiscretion. South Carolina’s Governor Henry McMaster, previously highlighted the indispensability of the I-95 bridges for the state and region’s economic development in a letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation last November.

Reassessing Infrastructure Health and Setting Priorities

Constructed in 1968, these four bridges stretch across a significant portion of Lake Marion, facilitating transport between Clarendon and Orangeburg counties. Lately, however, the SCDOT has reported deteriorating conditions of bridges, projecting them to be in poor shape as soon as next year. The slim shoulder space on the bridges also impacts emergency response times during incidents, necessitating their replacement.

Plan for the New Bridge

The current plan proposes a single bridge to replace the existing four, featuring two 12-foot travel lanes in both directions. An integrated pedestrian and bicycle pathway separated from the road by a barrier will also be included. Future blueprint suggests room for an additional lane in each direction, while the U.S. 301 pedestrian bridge nearby will stay functional.

Funding Origins, Aims and Beneficiaries

The $175 million is part of a larger infrastructure investment totaling $5 billion, targeting bridge replacement or improvements in 16 states, as set out by the Department of Transportation. The remaining funding for the project will developed from a separate federal fund ($105 million) and state funds ($120 million), says a spokesperson for the SCDOT.

The fund allocation comes from a $1 trillion infrastructure package signed into law in 2021 by President Joe Biden. Upon completion, the project will significantly reduce highway congestion, improve safety, enhance coastal evacuation capabilities during severe weather conditions, and support the economic development of the state and the region.

Construction operations won’t necessitate extensive road closures or detours. However, some temporary lane closures may be needed during the build. The SCDOT anticipates the contract for the project to be formalized by 2025.