New bridges on the way for Oconee and Pickens

The first contract to build South Carolina bridges using ACT 98 funding has been awarded. Oconee and Pickens are to receive the first four bridges. Christy Hall, deputy secretary for DOT Engineering, says timber pile bridges will be replaced with pre-cast concrete bridges in Oconee County on Bountyland Road (S-135) over tributary to Richland Creek. The other new bridges are planned for Table Rock Road, Carrick Creek Road, and the Terrapin Crossing in Pickens County. The Oconee and Pickens bridges are among a June 1 count in the state of more than 16-hundred sub-standard bridges, 407 load-restricted bridges and 12 closed bridges. Chairman W-B Cook of the South Carolina DOT Commission says the ACT 98 funds not only fund about 90 new bridges, but allow for other substandard bridges to move up on the list to be replaced.