An 80-year-old Clarendon County bridge is among 20 across South Carolina being considered for improvements under a $428.5 million statewide program, and the South Carolina Department of Transportation is seeking public input on the projects.
The U.S. 15 bridge over Sammy Swamp Creek, built in 1946, is included on SCDOT's 2026 Interstate and Primary Route Bridge Program list. It ranks seventh among 16 bridges in that category, with a priority score of 56.25.
SCDOT has not announced a construction timeline or specified whether the bridge would be replaced or rehabilitated.
The department released the list Oct. 22, inviting residents to review the projects and submit comments before it is presented to the SCDOT Commission at its December meeting.
The South Carolina General Assembly allocated an additional $189.5 million in one-time funding for bridge work this year. Combined with the existing $239 million program, the funding brings the total to $428.5 million for replacements and rehabilitation projects in the coming year.
According to SCDOT, the additional funding will help advance projects identified through its Strategic 10-Year Plan, which has already resulted in 550 bridge projects completed or under construction statewide.
The 2026 list includes 16 bridges on interstate and primary routes and four on secondary roads. In addition to Clarendon County, the primary route projects are located in York, Georgetown, Oconee, Aiken, Greenville, Pickens, Spartanburg, Richland, Colleton and Marlboro counties.
The secondary route projects are in Richland, Oconee, Spartanburg and Greenwood counties.
Residents have until Wednesday, Nov. 11, to submit comments on the list.
Comments may be submitted through the STIP Comment Notices section of SCDOT's public comment webpage or emailed to SCDOTpubliccomment@scdot.gov.
Written comments may also be mailed to the Public Involvement Director, SCDOT Public Engagement Office, 955 Park St., P.O. Box 191, Columbia, SC 29202.
For residents without internet access, printed copies of the project list and supporting materials are available at SCDOT district offices.
SCDOT advises that information submitted during the public comment process, including names and addresses, may be subject to disclosure under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act.
