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Bridge expected to open early next month

 

The bridge over Middle Tiger River on Hwy. 14 was suddenly closed by SCDOT last Tuesday after they performed their annual inspection. Gowensville Fire Department says the bridge was shut down very quickly with little notification. 

SCDOT has just informed GFD that the bridge is scheduled for repairs beginning this week and is expected to be completed around the beginning of October. Officials at GFD say they were informed that about 5,000 cars cross the bridge daily.

“SCDOT said there was something wrong with the bridge, and due to safety reasons, they had to close it immediately,” Chief Jackson says.

Early last week, SCDOT inspected the bridge and discovered it posed a dangerous threat to drivers, as the bridge needed pile repairs. Traffic is rerouted around the area. Hwy. 14 is closed to through traffic between the intersection of Hwy. 11 and Hwy 14, and where Hwy. 414 meets Hwy. 14. Traffic is being rerouted to Hwy. 414, Glassy Mountain Road, and Hwy. 11.

According to SCDOT, the condition of the bridge required emergency action but should reopen early next month.