The bridge on I-95 over Lake Marion was constructed in 1968. SCDOT has submitted a Bridge Investment Program grant to the United States Department of Transportation to replace the Lake Marion bridges. The total project amount is $331,500,000 with SCDOT asking for $161,000,000 (50%) in grant support.
“Not only is this bridge important for Maine to Florida traffic, it is equally important for the people of Orangeburg and Clarendon Counties as the main way to cross Lake Marion for work, school, and health care,” said Justin Powell, Chief of Staff for SCDOT.
The details of the project include replacing the existing fifty plus year old bridges and roadway approaches over Lake Marion, thus improving safety for travelers and freight transporters. The shoulders will be widened, greatly improving safety and access for emergency vehicles to impaired or wrecked vehicles on the bridges. A 12-foot shared-use path for pedestrians and bicyclists, protected by a barrier wall, will be included on the southbound bridge. This will provide long term connectivity to the Palmetto Trail.
“Providing a long-term solution for the Palmetto Trail is a critical part of the grant application. While moving cars and trucks is the primary purpose of the bridge, making sure bicyclists and pedestrians can cross the Lake safely is very important to SCDOT and the local community,” said Powell.
The bridge project will benefit everyone who travels north or southbound on I-95 over Lake Marion. This project is important to the local community, state, and nation. The current bridges do not meet current design standards and cannot meet the ever-increasing freight and traffic requirements. Not only are the current bridges a safety issue for the local community, they are also having a tremendous economic impact on the community when lanes have to be closed for repair.
The project will be completed via design-build and will accelerate construction allowing residents, visitors, and transporters to have a safe and reliable bridge to travel. Should a grant be awarded by USDOT, SCDOT will immediately be able to begin the work on the bridges.
In addition, SCDOT recently awarded a contract to make safety repairs on the existing Highway 301 bridge to re-open the bridge to Palmetto Trail foot traffic. The restoration includes removal and or replacement of damaged, loose, or missing railings, painting of all steel railing components, repair or expansion and construction joints, deck spall repairs, vegetation removal, pavement markings fencing and guardrail. Should SCDOT be awarded the grant for replacing the Lake Marion bridge, the future of the US-301 will be open for community input.
The current completion date is May 31, 2023 which would allow the public to enjoy the bridge for recreational pursuits next summer.
