15-04-2025
Work on bridge in downtown Greenville begins Tuesday: What to know
GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA) — Drivers in the Upstate should expect lane closures and reduced speeds Tuesday as construction starts on a bridge in downtown Greenville.
The South Carolina Department of Transportation said the Church Street Bridge, initially built in 1959, is due for some upgrades. The bridge spans nearly half a mile, connecting many commuters in Greenville to Interstate 385.
Related video: Construction planned for popular Greenville bridge (03/12/2025)
Stage one of the US 29 Church Street Bridge Rehab Project begins Tuesday; crews will remove the center median and close the bridge's median and inside lanes.
Traffic will be reduced to one lane in southbound and northbound directions, open to drivers from East Washington Street to East Broad Street. The speed limit on the overpass will be 25 mph.
According to Greenville City Council member Dorothy Dowe, more than 39,000 cars cross the bridge each day.
'It's hard to sugar coat this,' Dowe said. 'It is going to be a major impact to people's commutes.'
Transportation officials said the bridge deck is deteriorating, the storm drainable system must be updated and the structure's overall condition must be improved.
'This is the largest road construction project the city has ever seen,' Dowe continued.
Other proposed improvements to the bridge include increasing the west sidewalk to 9 feet wide, adding new overhead and pedestal lighting, modifying railings for pedestrian safety, replacing the stair system to McBee Street and adding 'aesthetic features.'
The project is expected to be completed between summer and fall 2026.
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