Greenville Gears Up for Bridge Replacements After Hurricane Helene’s Wrath
Greenville, South Carolina, is preparing for some much-needed bridge repairs as the aftermath of Hurricane Helene continues to impact the area. Following the tropical storm that swept through the state on September 27, the South Carolina Department of Transportation has announced plans to replace ten bridges that were significantly damaged. If you’re a local resident or just pass through, you might want to keep an eye on this story!
What’s Next for Greenville’s Bridges?
The construction work is set to kick off after the New Year and will span roughly eight months in total. This means some detours and road closures are definitely on the horizon, so plan accordingly! Hannah Robinson, a spokeswoman for the DOT, mentioned that the projects are currently in the procurement phase, which is just a fancy way of saying they’re working on the logistics and don’t yet have set budgets for these repairs.
Among the ten bridges, four are located right in Greenville County. Two of these bridges are situated near the heart of downtown Greenville, while another is at the entrance of Jones Gap State Park. This park has been particularly affected as it’s the only one of South Carolina’s 47 parks that remains closed due to the storm. Many locals were looking forward to visiting for the peak of leaf-peeping season!
What Bridges are Getting Repaired?
Notably, two bridges that straddle the Reedy River are particularly in need of some TLC. The first bridge on South Hudson Street, close to Unity Park, will be replaced with some snazzy improvements to the approaches of the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail. Meanwhile, the Washington Street bridge in the Southernside neighborhood will be widened, paving the way for future bicycle and pedestrian enhancements. It’s a win-win situation—efficient transportation and better access for cyclists and walkers!
In addition to the bridges aforementioned, the damaged bridge over the Middle Saluda River at Jones Gap State Park has been a big loss for local tourism. This beautiful park is part of the 17,000-acre Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area, featuring two stunning waterfalls and an impressive 60 miles of hiking trails.
What Else is Happening in Greenville?
The other bridge repair in Greenville County is located on Dill Road over the Middle Tyger River, which is found in the northern part of the county. Another bridge scheduled for a makeover is in nearby Spartanburg County on New Cut Road over Motlow Creek, just a stone’s throw from downtown Spartanburg.
After Hurricane Helene passed through, it caused havoc throughout the state by downing hundreds of trees, flooding homes, and tearing off roofs. The cleanup has been nothing short of heroic, with efforts from both government workers and volunteers, some even coming in from out of state! For those wondering about the status of debris collection, the City of Greenville had to temporarily pause on November 27 for a breather but the final pass for debris collection is set to resume on December 9. If you’ve got some debris to report, don’t hesitate to reach out through the email at debris@greenvillesc.gov! County residents can also report debris at debris@greenvillecounty.org.
The Road Ahead
If you’re counting, the state has identified several other bridges across South Carolina that are due for repairs, including:
- South 278 (Grays Highway) over Beaverdam Creek in Jasper County
- U.S. 76 over Chauga River in Oconee County
- South 166 (Tillman Territory Rd) over a Trib of Henleys Creek in Greenwood County
- South 230 (Townsend Rd) over Townsend Creek in Greenwood County
- South 59 (North Burris Rd) over Little Turkey Creek in York County
All of the bridges slated for replacement are currently closed, but the state is working diligently to get things back on track. And with FEMA funding on the line, it’s important that work is completed within the next year according to City of Greenville Engineering Director Clint Link. So hang tight, Greenville—better, safer bridges are on the way!
