Beaufort’s Woods Memorial Bridge to Close Overnight for Maintenance This Sunday

Beaufort Bridge Set for Overnight Closure

Hey there, Beaufort! Big news for all you folks who rely on the Woods Memorial Bridge to cross from downtown to Lady’s Island! Mark your calendars for this Sunday evening because the bridge will be closed to both cars and pedestrians from 8 p.m. Sunday to 6 a.m. Monday.

What’s the Deal?

So, why the sudden closure? The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) is finally rolling up their sleeves and getting to some long-awaited maintenance work on our beloved swing bridge. Crews will be installing a new set of gates that help control traffic when the bridge opens up to let boats pass through. Anyone who drives through here knows just how crucial this is, especially considering the various traffic jams caused by the old system. Those gates were causing all sorts of electrical issues that led to unexpected closures, causing major headaches for commuters.

The Numbers Are in!

Believe it or not, around 14,000 vehicles cross this bridge daily! That’s a lot of traffic for this span. So, while the bridge gets some TLC, expect a bit of stormy weather in terms of traffic on Lady’s Island Drive and Ribaut Road. With only two routes available connecting Beaufort to the sea islands, the detours could lead to some lengthy delays during the closure. And nobody wants to be stuck in traffic on a Sunday night, right?

Project Timeline Shifts

Originally, this repair job was set to be finished by Memorial Day 2024. However, due to a few pesky production delays, residents will now see a postponed timeline for the fix. But fear not—the gates, once installed, should eliminate those annoying surprises when the bridge suddenly closes.

Keeping Marine Traffic Flowing

Here’s some good news for the boat lovers: The bridge’s swing mechanism will still be up and running during this overnight closure, allowing marine traffic to saunter through without missing a beat. So boats will have a clear path, but cars will have to wait it out.

A Bridge with a Backstory

The Woods Memorial Bridge, also fondly known as the Lady’s Island Bridge, is more than just a thoroughfare. This 248-foot beauty has been spanning the Beaufort River since 1959 and just recently snagged a spot on the National Register of Historic Places back in January 2023. Remember that iconic scene in “Forrest Gump”? That’s right! The bridge was used as a stand-in for a Mississippi River crossing in the beloved film.

Public Feedback Wanted

As if this weekend couldn’t be exciting enough, the Coast Guard is looking for the community’s input on proposed changes to the swing bridge’s opening schedule. They’re accepting feedback through December 9. The new game plan would mean that the bridge wouldn’t swing open for boat traffic during busy morning and afternoon traffic periods, except for emergencies, to ease the flow. Can we say “traffic jam prevention”? Yes, please!

Stay Informed!

Keep your eyes peeled for updates regarding the bridge, and make sure you plan ahead this Sunday night. We all want to ensure we’re not stuck in traffic while the bridge gets the revamp it truly deserves. Take care and safe travels, Beaufort!