(Update: RoadTraffic-Technology article)
"Longest Cable-Stayed bridge in America" [Bridge Hunter] That is no longer true. The John James Audubon Bridge has a main span that is 37 feet longer than the 1546 foot main span of this bridge.
"Longest Cable-Stayed bridge in America" [Bridge Hunter] That is no longer true. The John James Audubon Bridge has a main span that is 37 feet longer than the 1546 foot main span of this bridge.
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| John Weeks |
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| Photo by Andrew Penik from Bridge Hunter All three 1929, 1966, 2005 |
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| Georgetown, SC posted I bet driving over this bridge to Charleston SC gave you nightmares! ➡️ The History of the Cooper River Bridge in Charleston, SC ➡️ Early Transportation Challenges Charleston, South Carolina, with its unique geography, has always faced significant challenges regarding transportation. The Cooper River, a broad tidal river, separates the Charleston Peninsula from the areas to the north and east, including Mount Pleasant and Sullivan's Island. Before the construction of a permanent bridge, residents relied on ferries to cross the river, which could be both time-consuming and unreliable, especially during bad weather. ➡️This article is supported by Jake Lee - Myrtle Beach & Pawleys Island Top Realtor , preserving and sharing the heritage of this extraordinary region. ➡️The Original John P. Grace Memorial Bridge (1929) In response to the growing need for a reliable crossing, the first Cooper River Bridge, known as the John P. Grace Memorial Bridge, was completed in 1929. Named after Charleston's former mayor, John P. Grace, who championed its construction, the bridge was a steel cantilever structure that spanned 2.71 miles. At the time of its completion, it was one of the longest bridges of its kind in the world. The Grace Bridge provided a critical link for vehicular traffic, promoting economic growth and development in the region. ➡️Construction and Features The construction of the Grace Bridge was a monumental task, requiring innovative engineering solutions to address the challenges posed by the river's width and depth. The bridge featured a 1,050-foot cantilevered span, with a clearance of 150 feet above the river to allow for the passage of ships. Its two lanes, however, were narrow by modern standards, which eventually led to concerns about safety and capacity as traffic volumes increased over the decades. ➡️ The Silas N. Pearman Bridge (1966) By the mid-20th century, it became clear that the Grace Bridge could no longer handle the increasing traffic efficiently. To address this, the Silas N. Pearman Bridge was constructed and opened in 1966, running parallel to the Grace Bridge. Named after another former mayor of Charleston, the Pearman Bridge featured a more modern design with wider lanes and a higher clearance of 155 feet. This bridge provided much-needed relief to the congested Grace Bridge and further facilitated the region's economic growth. ➡️ HOMES FOR SALE IN MURRELLS INLET www.JakeLeeRealEstate.com/murrells-inlet ➡️ Safety and Capacity Concerns Despite the addition of the Pearman Bridge, both structures eventually faced criticism for safety issues and limited capacity. The narrow lanes and steep grades of the Grace Bridge, in particular, were considered hazardous, leading to frequent accidents. Moreover, the increasing traffic volumes in the late 20th century necessitated a more robust solution. ➡️ The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge (2005) In response to these concerns, plans were made for a new, modern bridge that would replace both the Grace and Pearman Bridges. The result was the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, which opened to traffic on July 16, 2005. Named after a prominent South Carolina politician, the Ravenel Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge with a main span of 1,546 feet, making it the third longest in the Western Hemisphere at the time of its construction. ➡️ Design and Construction The Ravenel Bridge was designed to be not only functional but also a striking architectural landmark. Its eight lanes, wide pedestrian and bicycle path, and impressive height of 186 feet above the Cooper River make it a significant improvement over its predecessors. The bridge was constructed with advanced materials and techniques to ensure durability and resistance to extreme weather conditions, such as hurricanes and earthquakes. ➡️ Impact and Legacy The opening of the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge marked a new era for Charleston's transportation infrastructure. It greatly improved traffic flow, enhanced safety, and provided a critical link for commerce and tourism. The bridge quickly became an iconic symbol of Charleston, admired for its beauty and engineering excellence. ➡️ HOMES FOR SALE IN Myrtle Beach, SC www.JakeLeeRealEstate.com/myrtle-beach ➡️ Preservation of History While the Ravenel Bridge stands as a testament to modern engineering, efforts have been made to preserve the history of the original Grace and Pearman Bridges. Parts of the Grace Bridge were preserved and displayed in local parks, and there are ongoing efforts to educate the public about the significant role these structures played in Charleston's development. 🔥 FOLLOW THE HASHTAG #JAKELEEREALESTATE to browse over 16,000 posts of local history, area photography, and exclusive real estate opportunities! LEARN MORE about Jake Lee at www.jakeleerealestate.com/about The history of the Cooper River Bridges reflects the dynamic growth of Charleston and the continuous efforts to improve connectivity and safety for its residents and visitors. The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge now stands as a proud successor to the Grace and Pearman Bridges, embodying the spirit of progress and innovation in this historic city. ➡️ Curious what your home is worth in todays changing real estate market ? Visit the link below for an instant, no obligation, valuation https://www.jakeleerealestate.com/.../homeestimate/default [Please the use the "posted" link to access any of the links in the article.] |
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| Randy Perkinson posted This is the 13,200 feet (4,000 m) long Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge over the Cooper River at Charleston, South Carolina. If Wikipedia is to be believed, the 1546 foot (471 m) main span makes it the 3rd longest cable stayed bridge in the western hemisphere. |
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Highway Engineering Discoveries posted Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge Cable-stayed bridge , South Carolina |
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| David Lin commented on the above post I lived in Charleston SC for 3 years. |
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| Charleston Daily posted, cropped The reflection at night of the Cooper River Bridge is transcendent. |
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| Mike Brint posted Ravenel Bridge connecting Charleston to Mt. Pleasant, SC |
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| Jake Jones posted Charleston SC 6-18-2015 |
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| Photo by Andrew Penik from Bridge Hunter All three, 1928, 1966, 2005 [From right to left] |
Skip to 1:05.
Update: Below are three of the 295 photos posted by Robert Reeder. We see above that they used explosives to drop the suspended span of the older, skinnier 1928 Bridge into the shipping channel. But Robert's photos shows that they carefully jacked down the suspended span of the 1966 truss onto a barge. Were the bridges too close together to risk using explosives to remove the first span? Or would it take too long to clear the wider truss out of the shipping channel? Or both?
Robert's comment:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/… This is a bridges we took down in Charleston S.C 2 2250s and 888 2250s had 280ft of boom 888 had 260ft of boom good job also did an 870 ton lift with strand jacks and other bridge next to it was 760 ton no tandem lifts on water had both black smoking no weights for steel cause it was beefed up over the years many times grace built in 1928 Pierman built in 1955.According to Bridge Hunter, Pierman was built in 1966 instead of 1955. Grace was widened in 1959. Arthur began in 2001 and the traffic was transferred to it July 16, 2005. The demolition was completed in 2007. [Bridge Hunter timeline written by Nick Brnot.]
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So I set the "time machine" in Global Earth to 2005:
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| Google Earth with the "Roads" Layer turned off so that you can see the new bridge. |
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| Evan Wilson posted Name that bridge! [There is disagreement in the comments as to the name. But they all agree it is not called the Ravenel Bridge.] |
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| USA Art & Architecture posted Charleston, South Carolina❤ 📸: @jonathan.mcrae 👉 https://www.instagram.com/usa.explores/ |
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| USA Art & Architecture posted Charleston❤ 📸: @mpeacockmedia 👉 https://www.instagram.com/usa.explores/ |
Katie Hodson posted two photos with the comment: "Ravenel Bridge Charleston, SC"
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June 5, 2024: ship's throttle got stuck and a big container ship went down the river at 15 knots/hour. The bridge was closed as a precaution until the ship passed underneath.
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| 2:36 video @ 0:46 |
19:51 video about the "fast exit."
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| Doug Barnard posted A late snowy night at the Ravenel Bridge in Mt Pleasant, SC There is a close up of the sign in the comments if you want to read some of the history. Doug Barnard: See more snowy Charleston photos available for purchase [This was the same Winter storm that dumped 9.9" on Milton, FL.] Doug Barnard shared |
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| Doug commented on his photo |
The other side.
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| Doug commented on his photo |
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| Doug Bernard posted Geometry and cloudscapes on the Ravenel Bridge in Charleston, SC See More at https://www.dougbarnard.com Doug Bernard shared |
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| Doug commented on his post |
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