The Paul Gelegotis Bridge, also known as the Stono Bridge, is located in Charleston, South Carolina, United States; it connects James Island and Johns Island on SC 700 (Maybank Highway). This bridge opened in late 2003, on the historically significant site of a series of former Stono Bridges.

History

The bridge survived an attempt by Union forces to burn it during the

American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861May 26, 1865; also known by Names of the American Civil War, other names) was a civil war in the United States between the Union (American Civil War), Union ("the North") and the Confederate States of A ...

. Union troops floated burning rafts down to the Stono Bridge, hoping the wooden structure would catch fire and burn. However, their efforts were thwarted by a Lieutenant Smith, who along with members of a naval battalion, brought the rafts to shore. There have been several bridges in this location; the last variation was a two lane bridge -long, which was built in 1928, and later refurbished in 1950. This swing-span drawbridge used a -long steel-truss which left little room for even small vessels to pass beneath unless it was open.

The Paul Gelegotis Bridge (new bridge)

The Gelegotis Bridge is a four-lane -long structure, which began operation in 2003. The new elevated design allows auto traffic to move faster, while vessels pass under a clearance and through of horizontal clearance between the bridge supports. This bridge is named after

Paul Gelegotis Paul may refer to: People * Paul (given name), a given name, including a list of people * Paul (surname), a list of people * Paul the Apostle, an apostle who wrote many of the books of the New Testament * Ray Hildebrand, half of the singing duo P ...

, a James Island businessman and politician who started the EMS ambulance service in South Carolina in 1973. The

South Carolina Department of Transportation The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) is a government agency in the US state of South Carolina. Its mission is to build and maintain roads and bridges and administer mass transit services. By state law, the SCDOT's function an ...

opened two lanes to vehicles in November 2003 and opened the remaining two lanes in June 2004. Three construction accidents delayed the opening by six months, two of these were caused by cranes falling onto the structure; the third was a worker falling from a crane. The new bridge incorporates vehicle emergency lanes, but no demarcated bicycle lanes or sidewalks. It is the first bridge designed to include the South Carolina Department of Transportation's new seismic design criteria. In total, construction of the bridge cost approximately $41.5 million. The bridge was dedicated June 17, 2004. As a result of increased traffic flow and speed over the new bridge, Charleston is considering spending approximately two million

dollars Dollar is the name of more than 25 currencies. The United States dollar, named after the international currency known as the Spanish dollar, was established in 1792 and is the first so named that still survives. Others include the Australian d ...

to build a tunnel beneath the bridge approach ramps so

golf cart A golf cart (alternatively known as a golf buggy or golf car) is a small motorized vehicle designed originally to carry two golfers and their golf clubs around a golf course with less effort than walking. Over time, variants were introduced t ...

s and pedestrians are able to safely cross.

References

{{Reflist

External links

OSHA Newsletter – OSHA Cites South Carolina Contractor for Crane Collapses At Maybank Bridge Project
South Carolina in the American Civil War Bridges completed in 2003 Road bridges in South Carolina Gelegotis Concrete bridges in the United States

History

The Paul Gelegotis Bridge (new bridge)

See also

References

External links