The South Carolina Department of Transportation has announced that it plans to open the new Harbor River Bridge along Sea Island Parkway on Monday, April 26th.
On Tuesday, crews will begin dismantling the old swing bridge to use as an offshore fishing reef as part of the South Carolina Memorial Reef.
Original plans had it opening late this summer, but construction has been completed 2 months earlier than originally scheduled. A ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at noon on Monday on the bridge.
SCDOT will be removing the 82+ year old swing bridge in the coming months. It has provided the only means for vehicular transportation to Harbor, Hunting and Fripp Islands since the late 1930s.
The new high-level 3,353 ft long fixed span bridge will provide uninterrupted access for shrimping and sailing vessels along the river below as well as improved safety for motorists crossing the bridge.
That means no more white knuckle driving.
The new bridge project is part of SCDOT’s 10 year strategic plan to replace hundreds of structurally deficient bridges across the state.
The new Harbor River bridge is 65 feet high with 12 ft wide lanes and 10 ft wide shoulders in each direction.
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 won’t need to grip the wheel tight each and every time we cross it…we’re definitely going to miss that old bridge.
