Major construction has been underway for about 2 years on the span of the new Harbor River bridge that will replace the 78-plus year old swing bridge that has connected Fripp and Hunting Islands to the mainland for decades.
And, it’s officially reached the other shore.
The current swing bridge was built in 1939 by the Works Progress Administration under President Franklin Delano Roosevelt New Deal to put people to work during the Great Depression.
The project is set to remove the old swing bridge and replace it with a fixed span bridge, more akin to what the McTeer Bridge connecting Port Royal and Lady’s Island looks like. (see image below)
SCDOT is constructing a new high-level fixed-span bridge and is removing the existing swing-span bridge along Sea Island Parkway. The existing bridge is more than 78 years old and provides the only means for vehicular transportation from the mainland to Hunting Island and Fripp Island.
The new high-level 3,353 foot long fixed-span Harbor River bridge will provide uninterrupted access for shrimping and sailing vessels along the river below as well as provide improved safety for motorists crossing the bridge itself.
The new Harbor River Bridge just towers over the 78 year old swing bridge that will soon be gone forever. #beaufortsc
📸 Michael Tillison
Posted by Explore Beaufort, SC on Sunday, November 29, 2020
SCDOT is reminding drivers traveling near the construction zones to be aware of equipment and crews working in the areas and to comply with traffic control signs, reductions in speed limits, and message board information, as well as new and changing traffic patterns during the project.
According to SCDOT, the new 65-foot high bridge will offer 12-ft wide lanes with 10-foot shoulders in each direction. The current bridge will remain open to travel until construction of the new bridge is complete.
We can expect the new bridge to be open for traffic this upcoming summer and we can expect the old swing bridge to be removed this upcoming fall, with the project expected to be completed by early 2022.
And, even though we grip the wheel tighter each and every time we cross it….we’ll miss that old bridge.
