SCDOT to replace two bridges in Belton and Honea Path next summer – Independent Mail

The stateDepartment of Transportation will be replacing two bridges running over Cherokee Creek and Corner Creek in Anderson County beginning next summer.

SCDOT gave more details about the projects during a public information meeting at Belton-Honea Path High School.

The replacements are part of SCDOTs 10-year plan (started in 2017) to replace and update the states roads and bridges.

Handouts for the two projects said both bridges, located in Belton and Honea Path, are currently load restricted and are approaching the end of their usable lives and that replacements are needed to correct structural and functional deficiencies in the existing bridges.

Both bridges will be closed during construction but detours will be provided.

The Mayfield Heights Road Bridge is located about six minutes from the Belton Library right off of Belton Highway in Belton.

Along with replacing the bridge, the project will relocate the tributary stream about 20 feet north of the bridge to keep it from eroding the roadway in the future. If needed, a buffer zone will be created to let the stream run its course without harming the road.

The detour route will be about 2.6 miles long. Drivers will have to get around the construction by going from Pine Top Road (S-80) to Belton Highway (US 76) to Highway 413 (SC 413) to Horton Road to Tripe Lane and then to Jim Garrett Road (S-438), depending on which direction they are coming from.

Right-of-way acquisition and construction will begin in the summer of 2022 and will take about one year to complete.

The Samuel Road bridge running over Corner Creek is about three minutes off of Church Street and the same distance away from Honea Path Middle School.

The detour during the construction of the Samuel Road bridge over Corner Creek will be about 1.14 miles. Drivers will have to go from Brooke Street (S-297) to West Greer Street (SC 252) to McKay Road (S-671) and then to Francis Street (S-771).

Right-of-way acquisition and construction will begin in the summer of 2022 and will be completed in nine months.

According to SCDOT's website, the South Carolina House of Representatives voted in favor of a bill in 2017 that would raise taxes on gas to provide funds to improve the states roads and bridges after a 30-year backlog in maintenance.

The 10 year plan includes repaving and resurfacing roads, making rural roads safer, repairing or replacing aging bridges and improving key portions of our interstates. The SCDOT is in year four of the 10 year plan and says they are currently ahead of schedule.

Justine Lookenott covers breaking news for the Independent Mail. Reach out to her at jlookenott@gannett.com, on Twitter at @justalookenott or through Facebook.

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SCDOT to replace two bridges in Belton and Honea Path next summer - Independent Mail