The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded a $175 million federal grant to the South Carolina Department of Transportation to replace aging Interstate 95 bridges over Lake Marion, a key freight corridor for the East Coast.
The grant, awarded through the Bridge Investment Program, will fund the replacement of four 55-year-old bridges that connect Clarendon and Orangeburg counties.
The current structures, which carry nearly 39,000 vehicles daily, do not meet modern design standards and will be replaced with a new bridge featuring three lanes in each direction and future expansion capacity.
“This project will help ensure a bright future for the people of our state and the nation,” said Justin Powell, South Carolina Secretary of Transportation, in a statement. “The South Carolina Department of Transportation is prepared to move forward immediately and put these dollars to work.”
Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said the grant is part of a broader effort to reduce a significant backlog of infrastructure grants.
“We’re focused on delivering results for communities across the country by advancing core infrastructure projects,” Duffy said.
The new bridge is expected to improve safety, traffic flow, and long-term economic development throughout the region.
Source: Spectrum Local News, U.S. Department of Transportation
