A Message From The City of Charleston Police Department
Monday, January 21, 2019
Daniel Island Beresford Creek Bridge Update
Motorist Advisory: Beresford Creek Bridge Closure
On Friday, January 18, 2019, the City of Charleston made the decision to close the bridge over Beresford Creek on Daniel Island after an inspection found a structural deficiency. This closure will remain in effect until the proper steps have been taken to render the bridge safe for all types of vehicles.
At this point, Daniel Island Drive at Fairchild Street and Daniel Island Drive at the entrance to Blackbaud are the closure points. Motorists traveling to and from Daniel Island should understand these closures and expect delays on the island until the proper repairs have been made to the bridge.
For employees of Blackbaud who access the parking lot off Daniel Island Drive, the only access to that parking lot entrance will be on Daniel Island Drive via SC-33 / Clements Ferry Road. For all other residents, employees, and students wishing to access Daniel Island, the only accessible route will be via Exit #24 on I-526 to either Fairchild Street or Seven Farms Drive.
Officers will be present at these detour locations starting Tuesday morning to assist motorists during times of high traffic volume. It is highly recommended that those traveling to or from Daniel Island leave early and plan for increased travel times until the repairs to the Beresford Creek Bridge have been completed. The City of Charleston and the Charleston Police Department appreciates the public’s understanding and patience in this matter. Future updates will be provided as information regarding this bridge closure changes.
A Message From The City of Charleston For Release:
Saturday, January 19, 2019
Daniel Island Beresford Creek Bridge Update
Charleston, S.C.—Late yesterday, public safety officials with the City of Charleston temporarily closed the Daniel Island Drive Bridge over Beresford Creek after a routine inspection by engineers at JMT Inc. found deterioration to one of the beams at the southern end of the bridge.
JMT has advised the city to safely reopen the bridge to non-truck vehicles as soon as the following two recommendations have been implemented:
1. Installation of a two-inch thick steel plate along a specific section of the bridge. The City has special-ordered this plate, and has been told to expect delivery in the middle of next week.
2. Deployment of signs prohibiting vehicles over a certain weight (i.e. trucks) from crossing the bridge. The City’s Department of Traffic and Transportation is currently producing and preparing to install SCDOT-compatible signage announcing these new weight restrictions.
Assuming timely delivery of the plate, the bridge should be open again to non-truck traffic late next week.
Between now and then, city officials are taking several steps to mitigate the effects of the temporary closure:
Preparation and installation of wayfinding directional signage to help citizens avoid unnecessary trips through the affected area
24/7 traffic monitoring to ensure that traffic light signalization is optimal as new travel patterns emerge
Presence of public safety officers during peak travel times to assist traffic flow as necessary
Interim Public Services Director Tom O’Brien said, “As always, public safety is job one, but we also want to do everything we can to mitigate the effects of this temporary closure on our citizens. We’re sorry for this inconvenience, and will continue to work to get the bridge safely re-opened for non-truck traffic by late next week.”
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Jack O’Toole, Director of Communications
Media Relations/Public Information
(843) 518-3228
otoolej@charleston-sc.gov
Daniel Island Beresford Creek Bridge to Close for Repairs
Charleston, S.C.—In a routine inspection performed by Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson, Inc., the Daniel Island Drive Bridge over Beresford Creek was found to contain a damaged beam and will be closed until late next week, as temporary repairs are made.
City of Charleston Interim Director of Public Service Tom O’Brien said, “Ensuring the safety of our citizens while they’re traveling on our roadways is a top priority, and we are committed to making the necessary repairs and mitigating the effects of this closure until the bridge is able to safely reopen.”
Media Contact:
Jack O’Toole, Director of Communications
Media Relations/Public Information
(843) 518-3228
otoolej@charleston-sc.gov
