10 SC bridges damaged by Hurricane Helene will be replaced in 2025. See where they are
The South Carolina Department of Transportation will replace 10 bridges damaged by the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, a tropical storm that blew through the state on Sept. 27.
The work is scheduled to begin after the New Year and will take eight months to complete.
Hannah Robinson, DOT spokeswoman, said the projects are in the procurement phase and do not have cost estimates yet.
Four of the bridges are in Greenville County, including two near downtown Greenville and one at the entrance to Jones Gap State Park, which is the only one of 47 South Carolina’s parks to remain closed.
Two bridges span the Reedy River, one on South Hudson Street, the other on West Washington Street. Floodwaters eroded their foundations.
The city of Greenville announced the Hudson Street bridge, near Unity Park, will be replaced with improvements to the approaches of the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail.
The Washington Street bridge, in the Southernside neighborhood, will be widened for future bicycle and pedestrian improvements.
The bridge damage over the Middle Saluda River in Jones Gap State Park dashed one of the most lucrative times for the park, leaf peeping season. Jones Gap is part of the 17,000-acres Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area, which also includes Caesars Head. Jones Gap has two scenic waterfalls and 60 miles of hiking trails.
The other damaged Greenville County bridge is on Dill Road over Middle Tyger River in northern Greenville County.
To qualify for FEMA funding, the state must complete the work in the next year, City of Greenville Engineering Director Clint Link said.
One bridge will be replaced in Spartanburg County on New Cut Road over Motlow Creek, which is north of downtown Spartanburg.
Helene roared through a swath of South Carolina, downing hundreds of trees, flooding homes, tearing off roofs as it made its way from Florida and Georgia.
Clearing the debris has been a Herculean effort, involving government works and volunteers, some from out of state.
The city of Greenville paused its debris collection Nov. 27 to give workers a break, but will resume for a final pass beginning Dec. 9.
The city set up an email address — debris@greenvillesc.gov — for people to report missed debris or to voice concerns.
County residents can report debris at debris@greenvillecounty.org.
The other bridges to be repaired across the state are:
S 278 (Grays Highway) over Beaverdam Creek, Jasper County
US 76 over Chauga River, Oconee County
S-166 (Tillman Territory Rd) over Trib of Henleys Creek, Greenwood County
S-230 (Townsend Rd) over Townsend Creek, Greenwood County
S-59 (North Burris Rd) over Little Turkey Creek, York County
All of the bridges to be replaced are closed.
This story was originally published December 6, 2024 at 5:30 AM.