Environmentalists challenge new SC railroad bridge

FORT MOTTE, S.C. (AP) — An environmental group is challenging plans to replace a railroad bridge over the Congaree River between Richland and Calhoun counties.

The Times and Democrat of Orangeburg reported that the president of the group Friends of the Congaree Swamp thinks state regulators moved too quickly to approve the plans by Norfolk Southern.

John Grego says he thinks the current bridge is working well.

Norfolk Southern says it needs to replace the 276-foot bridge in order to handle modern rail cargo.

Friends of the Congaree Swamp has also challenged plans for a new bridge over the river for U.S. Highway 601. The group worries the new bridge would damage the nearby Congaree Swamp National Park.

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Information from: The Times & Democrat, http://www.timesanddemocrat.com