FHWA Announces $1 Million in Emergency Relief Funds for Bridge Over I-26 in Orangeburg County, South Carolina

Topics:  Interstate Highway System

Federal Highway Administration
4 April 2018

FHWA 03-18
Wednesday, April 4, 2018
Contact: Nancy Singer
Tel.: (202) 366-0660

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration announced the immediate availability of $1 million in emergency relief (ER) funds to help the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) repair a damaged bridge over I-26 in Orangeburg County that was struck by a tractor-trailer.

“These federal emergency relief funds will help SCDOT expedite repairs to this important bridge,” said Acting Federal Highway Administrator Brandye L. Hendrickson. “We know that the bridge is essential to commuters in the region and needs to be repaired as quickly as possible so that they can return to their daily routines.”

A tractor-trailer struck the State Road 50/Four Holes Road Bridge over I-26 on March 9, causing catastrophic damage. The incident required the immediate closure of I-26 westbound and the complete closure of nearby Four Holes Road (S-50) to traffic.

The S-50 bridge could not be repaired and, to restore traffic on I-26, emergency demolition was needed to completely remove the bridge. The emergency relief funds will reimburse the SCDOT for the demolition work and allow the state to begin the development of an expedited design-build contract.

FHWA’s ER program reimburses states for eligible expenses associated with damage from natural disasters or other emergency situations based on their requests. The funds help to pay for the reconstruction or replacement of damaged highways and bridges along with the arrangement of detours and replacement of guardrails or other damaged safety devices.

Additional information about the FHWA’s ER program can be found at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/fastact/factsheets/emergencyrelieffs.cfm.