The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) and the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) have broken ground on the project to replace the Interstate 95 (I-95) bridges over Lake Marion.
The project involves replacing the northbound and southbound bridges, originally built in the 1960s, with new structures and updating the surrounding road approaches.
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The bridges form a critical part of I-95, which accommodates both passenger and freight traffic along the east coast of the US.
The USDOT awarded a $175m grant for the works, marking the department’s first federal award under the Bridge Investment Programme.
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster said: “Today’s groundbreaking is a proud moment for Team South Carolina and a testament to what can be accomplished when state and federal partners work together to deliver for the people of South Carolina.
“These new bridges will strengthen one of our most important transportation corridors, improve safety for drivers and help drive continued economic development across our state.”
I-95 serves as a primary transportation corridor linking key regions from Florida to Maine and accommodating high levels of vehicle movement, including freight carriers.
The Lake Marion bridges have formed a central part of this route, supporting daily travel for numerous motorists and commercial operators.
The current project involves replacing both existing bridge spans and upgrading adjacent road sections.
Once completed, the upgraded bridges will meet modern engineering standards and are expected to last longer and require less maintenance.
SCDOT Transportation Secretary Justin Powell said: “This project represents a major milestone for South Carolina and for everyone who relies on I-95. Replacing the Lake Marion bridges ensures we are delivering a safer, more reliable corridor that supports economic growth and keeps people and goods moving efficiently through our state for decades to come.”
Construction activities are scheduled over multiple years and will be organised in phases to help limit traffic disruption on this main route, the SCDOT said in a statement.
