Greenville and Spartanburg Prepare for Significant Bridge Replacements Following Tropical Storm Helene Damage

Greenville and Spartanburg Gearing Up for Major Bridge Replacements!

Hey there, South Carolina! It’s been almost two months since Tropical Storm Helene made its unforgiving mark on our beautiful state. Can you believe it? The storm brought some serious winds and rain, absolutely wreaking havoc on homes, businesses, roads, and parks. Unfortunately, we also lost 50 lives, and thousands were left without power and internet connections. But hold your horses — we’re on the mend!

Clean-Up in Full Swing!

Across the Upstate, communities are hard at work cleaning up the mess left behind. State, county, and city crews have been tirelessly clearing debris, eager to restore normalcy to our daily lives. And guess what? It doesn’t stop there! In 2025, the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) is coming to the rescue with plans to replace a whopping 10 bridges that were seriously damaged by not just Tropical Storm Helene, but also Tropical Storm Debby. Way to go, team!

What’s Happening in Greenville County?

In good ol’ Greenville County, folks should get ready for some exciting changes! The SCDOT will be replacing the S-115 bridge over the Middle Tyger River, which didn’t stand a chance against Hurricane Helene. This project is all about making sure our bridges are safe and up to snuff with modern design standards. Did you know that around 250 vehicles — including big trucks — use the S-115 bridge every single day? That’s a lot of traffic relying on a sturdy bridge!

Now, the plan is to build the new bridge right where the old one stood, and it’s going to be built nice and strong! The S-115 bridge itself was built in 1969 and is showing its age. The SCDOT guys even found an old concrete bridge abutment from the 1940s beneath the current structure. But don’t worry; that old relic isn’t historical and won’t be on any fancy national register!

Detours Alert!

Heads up, everyone! While the new bridge is under construction — which is set to kick off in the winter of 2025 — the S-115 will be closed. A detour around 9.4 miles long is in place to help everyone navigate. Make sure to pay attention to the signs, follow the route, and you’ll be just fine.

Spartanburg County’s Turn!

Now, don’t think we forgot about Spartanburg County! There’s good news brewing there too! The SCDOT is gearing up to replace the S-52 (New Cut Road) bridge over Motlow Creek and trust me, it’s going to improve your daily commute. This bridge sees about 1,250 vehicles a day, with a fair share of trucks too.

This replacement will come with a 7.7-mile detour for both northbound and southbound traffic, so make sure to plan your route ahead of time. With the new constructions coming up, you might even find yourself taking a new path to your favorite spots!

Safety First!

All of these bridge projects are set to ensure safe travel for everyone. The replacements aim to tackle structural deficiencies, provide newer facilities, and comply with the latest design standards. Plus, the plan involves working closely with local cities to include pedestrian accommodations and maintain access to important routes like the Swamp Rabbit Trail. Isn’t that wonderful?

Final Thoughts

So, as we all rally together to recover from the storms, remember that our future roads and bridges will be safer and more reliable. While there will be some detours and managed closures, the end result will surely be worth it. Change is coming, and we can’t wait to see our Upstate shine again!