Satya's blog - New Cooper River (Ravenel) bridge

So I've finally posted the pictures of the opening night (that's night before opening day) fireworks on the Ravenel bridge.

(more here: http://www.thesatya.com/albums/chs/cpbridge/thumb1.html)

This is a big 8-lane (4 each way) cable-stayed suspension bridge with ramps for downtown, Meeting Street, North Charleston, Coleman, and Johnnie Dodds. There is a separate (jersey barrier) bicycle and pedestrian lane from East Bay Street to Coleman Boulevard. It replaces the old and old-old bridges, the Grace and Pearman (I can't keep straight which is which) which are like 60 to 80 years old.

The old-old bridge, which stood alone for the first 20 years or so, was pretty narrow. Just two lanes, one each way. They say it was a white-knuckle drive across. It still is. It's the one on the right in this picture:

(more pictures, including a side view that almost shows the Yorktown, here: http://www.thesatya.com/albums/chs/cpbridge/thumb1.html)

My boss has been taking pictures and blogging about the construction at http://ravenelbridge.net/ and he will blog the demolition of the old bridges.

The new bridge is taller, longer, and wider than the old ones.

Last updated: Jan 22 2006 09:15