© 2003, Rotary Club of Charleston

P.O. Box 21029
Charleston, SC 29413-1029

Club secretary:
Carroll Schweers
chasrot@comcast.net

New Cooper River bridge ahead of schedule
Clair describes progress on world-class structure

APRIL 20, 2004 - Bobby Clair gave area residents good news this week: while the contract for the construction of the new Cooper River bridge specifies a 60 month construction period, contractors are ahead of schedule. The bridge may actually be finished in 47 months.

The new bridge, named the Arthur B. Ravenel Bridge, will replace the Grace Bridge, built in 1929, and the Pearman Bridge, built in 1963. According to Clair, both of those bridges are "structurally obsolete."

The Ravenel Bridge will be the longest cable-stayed bridge in North and South America, spanning 1546 feet. It will be 8 lanes wide and will also have a bike and pedestrian lane. The two main towers are 550 feet tall, and the roadway will be 200 feet above the water.

The bridge is being built to last at least 100 years. It has been designed to withstand major hurricanes and substantial seismic events. Additionally, 5 acre rock islands have been built around the base of the towers to prevent a ship from colliding with the towers. Ships will run aground on the rock islands, thus averting collision with a tower.

The bridge contract specifies a cost of $531 million for the design-build phases, and Clair expects that change orders will be only a small percent of the budget. Additional funding will be required for the destruction and removal of the Grace and Pearman bridges.

According to Clair, the bridge construction is being monitored with interest worldwide, and a documentary is in the works.

In other business…

Foster Gaillard gave the invocation and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Steve Coe welcomed our guests and visiting Rotarians. Margaret McDonald offered Health and Happiness. Doug Earnst presented Anita Zucker with a Outstanding Club President Award. Anita Zucker then inducted our two newest members, Amy Riley and Jennifer Audi.

-- Amy Jenkins