The U.S. Coast Guard has proposed permanent changes to the operation of the Woods Memorial Bridge that would allow the swing bridge to remain open to vehicle traffic during morning and afternoon drive times. The Coast Guard is inviting public feedback on this proposed change.
The Woods Memorial Bridge connects downtown Beaufort to Lady’s Island and has significant daily traffic.
This proposal follows a temporary modified schedule with these same drive-time provisions that began on March 25 earlier this year, and is continuing at least through Nov. 30.
Under this proposal, from 6 a.m. to 9:29 a.m. and 3:31 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, the swing bridge would not open to boat traffic except for emergencies, and other exceptions granted by regulations. This would allow for easier traffic flow during these times.
From 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the draw can open once an hour on the half-hour for boat traffic as needed. At all other times, the draw will open on signal.
To provide feedback:
The Coast Guard is asking for comments on this rule change in the Federal Register. The public is invited to comment at https://www.regulations.gov. Type USCG-2024-0198 in the search box and click “Search.” Next, look for this document in the Search Results column, and click on it. Then click on the Comment option. The Coast Guard is encouraging all public comment to be made by Dec. 9, 2024.
The Woods memorial Bridge is
The historic Woods Memorial Bridge is now one of five bridges in South Carolina listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The others are in Greenville, Horry, and Richland counties.
The bridge opened in 1959, replacing a swing bridge built in 1927. Originally known as the Lady’s Island Bridge, it was renamed in 1971 in honor of Richard V. Woods, a local South Carolina Highway Patrol trooper killed in the line of duty.
The bridge’s center span pivots open horizontally on a regular basis to allow boat traffic on the Intracoastal Waterway to pass through. In 2022, the bridge opened 1,659 times to allow commercial and private vessels to pass through. That ranged from a low in September of 70 to a high in November of 269. Traffic data for 2022 is not yet final but in 2021, the bridge averaged 13,700 vehicle crossings a day.
