SC state leaders announce $175 million dollar bridge project over Lake Marion

SUMMERTON, SC (WOLO) — No matter whether Republican or Democrat, elected leaders in South Carolina know that infrastructure is a big investment that is much needed in the Palmetto State.

Many of the state’s roads and bridges are more than 60 years old and needing repair.

According to the state department of transportation, Clarendon County’s bridges over Lake Marion on I-95 carry 40 thousand cars and trucks a day. 

“Time and traffic have worn them down. They lack basic safety features like shoulders,” said SC DOT secretary Justin Powell. “This has been a day that has been long talked about but many wondered if it would ever happen.”

Friday morning in Summerton, the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SC DOT) along with elected leaders, celebrated a grant of 175 million dollars from the federal government.

The money will improve four aging bridges on I-95 over South Carolina’s largest lake.

“For the nation, this is a critical link on the East Coast supply chain from Maine to Miami,” Powell said. “If we were to lose these bridgesm it would be a 70 mile detour. That would have dramatic impacts on the nation’s supply keychains.”

The bridge will also carry a water line across Lake Marion to provide clean drinking water to local residents. 

“It will make it much more attractive for people to move here,” said Congressman Jim Clyburn. “You want to live on the water but you want safe drinking water as well. That’s what this is all about.”

The positive impacts the project will have on local communities in Clarendon and Orangeburg Counties is why the effort to secure federal funding was a bipartisan one.

“People ask me ‘Why do you vote for things like this?’ Because of this,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham. “Our state has more needs than we can fulfill alone. So when the federal government wants to help us, the answer is yes.”

According to SC DOT, almost 2,500 bridges in the state are more than 60 years old. 

Whether using state of federal funding, Governor Henry McMaster hopes to see road and bridge projects continue across South Carolina. 

“That’s key to our happiness, future and prosperity,” McMaster said. “For things like this, we can never get enough. We’ll keep asking.”

Once construction begins over Lake Marion, SC DOT expects work to take 3 to 4 years to complete.