On Friday, August 2, 2024, Representative Jim Clyburn, a Democrat from South Carolina, delivered a speech at the ceremony where a $175 million federal grant was awarded to replace the I-95 bridge over Lake Marion. The event was captured by Abraham Kenmore of the SC Daily Gazette.
Excitement is in the air as the federal government has awarded a $175 million grant on Friday. While the funding will most likely lead to the construction of a new bridge for Interstate 95 over Lake Marion, U.S. Rep. James Clyburn is more thrilled about the prospect of clean drinking water. This less visible aspect of the project is just as important as the bridge and will have a significant impact on Summerton and its residents.
Clarendon County, particularly the town of Summerton, has been facing problems with its water system for a long time. To address this issue, a 24-inch pipe will be installed on the bridge to provide drinking water to the area. State Secretary of Transportation Justin Powell showed plans for the structure to Representative Clyburn, who requested that it include piping from the Lake Marion Regional Water Authority to Clarendon.
Clyburn deemed it worthy to increase the cost by $33 million to enhance the water service for the small community of 800 individuals.
During his initial discussion with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Representative James Clyburn emphasized that the issue at hand was not just about the bridge, but also about more than that. Clyburn pointed out to Buttigieg where the system had failed in Summerton, and although Buttigieg remained silent throughout the conversation, Clyburn was satisfied that he did not reject the ideas presented to him.
In the previous month, the federal funding was approved and received.
$175M federal grant enables SC to build new I-95 bridge over Lake Marion
State and federal officials, including Governor Henry McMaster and Senator Lindsey Graham, graced the award ceremony at the lake. Joining them were Clyburn, Powell, and Polly Trottenberg, the deputy secretary of transportation at the federal level. The ceremony took place on a pedestrian bridge that is going to be replaced in the new construction.
According to Graham, he and Jim Clyburn collaborate frequently, often concerning matters like this. Graham recounts that whenever he reaches out to Clyburn, the response is always, “Let’s get it done.”
The project will receive funding from a federal grant, which will cover half of the costs. The remaining expenses will consist of $105 million from South Carolina’s portion of federal highway funding and $70 million from state taxes.
The massive lake can only be crossed through the current set of bridges that were constructed back in 1968. However, these aging spans might need weight restrictions by the coming year. In case of a closure, commuters might have to take a 70-mile detour on a highway that runs along the East Coast.
Graham exclaimed that a new bridge was needed yesterday.
Senator Graham, along with 18 of his Republican colleagues, supported the federal infrastructure law that provided the funds. However, Senator Tim Scott, South Carolina’s junior senator, opposed the law. Additionally, none of South Carolina’s Republican House members voted in favor of the bill.
According to the federal Department of Transportation’s Trottenberg, South Carolina had to compete with other states to secure a portion of the federal funding.
Trottenberg expressed her excitement to work hand-in-hand with the team on this project during the announcement of the five billion dollars allocation to only 13 projects across the country. She acknowledged that being part of this exceptional group is an honor and looks forward to getting down to work.
Initially, the new bridge will have a width of 130 feet, which will be able to accommodate three lanes of traffic moving in each direction. The plan is to eventually expand it to accommodate four lanes of traffic in each direction and to have ample shoulders on either side wide enough for a car to pull over.
As per the state DOT, the span will consist of a 14-foot-wide pathway designated for both bicycles and pedestrians to cross the lake. The path will be separated from vehicular traffic by concrete and fencing. Along with this, the walkway will also be connected to the Palmetto Trail, which is a vast network of trails spanning 500 miles from Lowcountry to Upstate once completed.
According to Powell, the DOT intends to have the project contracted by the following year. The construction process is estimated to take around three to four years, but traffic will not be affected as the new bridge will be built in stages, while the old bridges are gradually demolished.
Powell expressed his excitement about a long-awaited day that has finally arrived. The event has been the subject of much discussion, and many people have wondered if it would ever come to fruition. However, Powell is pleased to confirm that it is no longer just a hopeful dream, but a tangible reality.
