Julie McCombs
Completion of the Memorial Drive Extension bridge is scheduled around April 15, according to SCDOT.
Julie McCombs
Two people were injured, a fireman had to be pulled out of rushing waters and repairs lasted nine months when the Memorial Drive Extension bridge washed out last August.
“We’re still a few weeks out,” said Brandon Wilson, district assistant maintenance engineer of SCDOT. Wilson is overseeing the project near the intersection of Chandler Road and Taylor Road.
The bridge, over Frohawk Creek, was washed out last August, two vehicles falling into the hole while attempting to cross, injuring two people and exposing a gas pipeline. A 96-inch drainage pipe collapsed.
The repair schedule, announced by DOT last year is nearly on target. An April finish was announced late last year.
Traffic to Chandler Creek Elementary has been rerouted throughout the school year.
A 10-foot concrete box culvert replaced a 10-foot metal pipe that was put in place in 1953. Wilson said concrete remains to be poured and cured, backfill dirt hauled in, the road will need asphalt and a guardrail and striping will complete the repairs.
CPW completed its replacement of a natural gas pipeline more than a month ago.
“We had some rain and have a little extra work to do,” Wilson said. “We set an April 6 finish and it looks now it may be around April 15.”