Significant Road Closure on Highway 183 in Pickens County to Last Over a Year for Bridge Replacement

PICKENS COUNTY, S.C.

Drivers in Pickens County should be aware of a significant upcoming road closure on Highway 183, which is expected to last more than a year. According to the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT), construction work is to begin on September 16th, 2024, focusing on replacing two critical bridges.

Bridges to be Replaced

The bridges slated for replacement are located over Twelve-Mile Creek near the Pickens Flea Market and over Gregory Creek near Riggins Road. These bridges are being replaced due to existing load restrictions. As part of SCDOT’s ten-year plan, the goal is to eliminate closed and load-restricted bridges throughout the state.

“One of the goals of our ten-year plan is to eliminate closed and road restricted bridges in the state,” stated Hannah Robinson, an SCDOT spokesperson.

By replacing these bridges, SCDOT aims to enhance the traffic flow for school buses, large trucks, and emergency service vehicles, allowing vehicles that exceed current weight limits to travel safely along this part of Highway 183.

Construction Details

Though the construction officially starts in mid-September, the project roots date back to the summer of 2022 when the design and engineering processes commenced. During this phase, it was determined that the complete replacement of these bridges was necessary.

“The project actually started in the summer of 2022, when our design and engineering team were determining the repairs to be made,” Robinson remarked. “It was then that we decided to replace these two bridges.”

The construction is expected to last about 15 months. During this period, the existing bridges will be torn down and replaced with new structures built to current design standards, ensuring they won’t require closures or load restrictions in the future.

Detours and Commutes

Drivers should plan for a more extended commute during the construction period. The proposed detour route spans over 14 miles, starting near the end of West Main Street in Pickens and extending to the Reserve at Lake Keowee before looping back toward Durham’s Convenient Mart by Crowe Creek Road. For those who need to use the entire detour, their commute could more than double in duration.

“Drivers will still have access to portions of SC 183 near the bridges,” assured Robinson, providing some relief for local residents and commuters.

Project Aims

The ultimate goal of this project is to improve the safety and reliability of the area’s infrastructure. Once the new bridges are in place, they will be free from load restrictions, allowing for better traffic flow and safety improvements for all types of vehicles that use the highway.

This bridge replacement initiative is a crucial part of SCDOT’s ongoing efforts to maintain and improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of South Carolina’s transportation network. The department is working diligently to minimize the inconvenience to the public while ensuring that long-term benefits outweigh the temporary disruptions.