Aiken Residents Rally for Bridge Reopening: “Free Our Bridge”
In the charming city of Aiken, South Carolina, a call for action is echoing through the community as residents express their desire to see the Union Street Bridge reopened. With bright signs in hand proclaiming “Free Our Bridge,” citizens are making it clear that they value this unique structure. Unfortunately, after recent discussions with the State Department of Transportation (SCDOT), local leaders announce that the bridge will remain closed, a decision that doesn’t seem to surprise anyone.
Understanding the Situation
City Manager Stuart Bedenbaugh painted a picture of the bridge’s current status, emphasizing its historical significance but also its need for modern safety standards. “It’s certainly a very unique and a wonderful structure to experience driving over in a motor vehicle—but it is not built to those modern safety specifications,” he remarked. The SCDOT conducts inspections every two years to assess the condition of local bridges. Following an inspection in January 2023, they determined that the Union Street Bridge did not meet weight safety requirements, leading to its closure.
“At that point, when they did that inspection, it failed—and we’ve been waiting to hear formal notification from DOT since then,” Bedenbaugh explained. His recent conversation with the SCDOT Secretary confirmed that plans to reopen the bridge are not in the cards because it simply does not meet the necessary safety standards.
A Bit of History with Local Bridges
The Union Street Bridge is one of five structures spanning the “railroad cut” in downtown Aiken. With two alternative routes available—Laurens and Newberry Streets—drivers are managing to navigate around the closure. Although the York Street bridge was successfully replaced after a closure in 2016, the Fairfield Street Bridge remains shut down. Bedenbaugh highlighted the ongoing efforts to address the Fairfield Street situation, stating, “The reason it’s taken that one so long to get that project moving forward is lack of funding.”
Plans for the Future
On a more positive note, funding for the reconstruction of the Fairfield Street Bridge is underway. Bedenbaugh shared that the SCDOT is offering $1.3 million for the project, which the city council approved late last year. Furthermore, the city has allocated $3 million from a Plutonium settlement to assist with rebuilding efforts. Bedenbaugh expressed enthusiasm about these plans, saying, “We are in the process now of getting our final plans ready to share with adjacent property owners and the public at large.”
Community Input is Key
As the city awaits formal notification from the SCDOT—which Bedenbaugh expects to arrive any day now—it is clear that community engagement will be a vital part of any future plans. “Do we invest the time and potential funds into converting it into another sort of use? Or do we just decommission and it goes away? Again, that’s to be determined based on the council direction and input from our public,” he stated.
While there is currently no timeline set for public input meetings, residents are encouraged to stay informed and engaged. The fate of the Union Street Bridge is not just a matter of safety—it’s a community conversation that needs everyone’s voice. So grab your signs and get ready to be heard, Aiken!
