Heat Closed Ben Sawyer Bridge, AICW Statute Mile 462, Charleston, SC
Summer heat closed 1 bridge. Could it close more? With a closed vertical clearance of 31ft, Ben Sawyer Bridge is the last bridge before Charleston Harbor when southbound.
Good morning, Charleston
Charleston is known for seriously hot weather, but it reached a new level om Monday.
The Charleston area experienced a high of 100 degrees, with an even higher heat index — hot enough to warp the Ben Sawyer Bridge. “Extreme heat” expanded its steel structure to where it became stuck partially open.
Though other bridges in the state have experienced similar temperatures, Memorial Day marked the first time the Ben Sawyer Bridge bridge was forced to shut down due to the heat, according to the S.C. Department of Transportation. This is a relatively rare occurrence and not a sign of a problem with its structural integrity, state transportation officials said.
The bridge remained shut down to vehicle traffic for four hours during the evening, much to Memorial Day beach-goers’ dismay. It eventually reopened to traffic around 9 p.m., but it remained closed to maritime traffic for most of Tuesday.
“It isn’t common, but it’s not unheard of,” Kevin Turner, a SCDOT construction engineer, said of the bridge’s thermal expansion.
FULL STORY: ‘Extreme heat’ led to Sullivan’s Island bridge closure on Memorial Day, officials say
Post and Courier
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Ben Sawyer Bridge
Comments from Cruisers (1)
Darla Freed this is what I was telling you about