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Project 5Cooper River (Arthur Ravenal Jr.) Bridge

Charleston-Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina

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Project

Spans 2½ miles including ship channel

Replace, increase capacity of 1929, 1966 bridge pair

Weight-limited (structural deterioration)

Congested

High maintenance

Provide 8 lanes

Obsolete design criteria

No shoulder, medians

Steep grades10 foot lanes

Insufficient vertical clearance over ship channel

Improve interchanges on bridge approaches

Source: http://maps.google.com/

Project

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Replace one 2-lane and one 3-lane bridge with an 8-lane bridge and improve connections to I-26 and local roads.

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CSS Approach Agency partnership

State infrastructure bank SCDOT Charleston County South Carolina State Port Authority FHWA

Proactive partnership with community Compatibility Environmental mitigation Design input Expedited environmental permitting

Other features Public work sessions Public outreach campaign Collaboration with other agencies, citizens, stakeholders Citizen vote on bridge tower design

Photo source: http://ravenelbridge.net/small/jul_12_bridge_south_blog.jpg

CSS Design Features Sensitivity to community features Aesthetic treatments

Decorative lighting

Hand rails

Light poles

Citizen approved tower design 12 foot ped/bike path Scenic overlooks Rock islands at tower bases (prevent damage by ship) Decorative lighting (off during turtle season) Relocation of some displaced trees Parks, open space in old bridge alignment

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Source: http://www.gcbl.org/system/files/cooper_river_thumb_0.jpg

CSS Design Features (cont.)

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Longest cable-stayed bridge in North America. Highest cost public works project in South Carolina history. Source: Google Earth

CSS Design Features (cont.)

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West (left) and east approaches and interchanges. Source: Google Earth

CSS Design Features (cont.)

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West approach during late construction phase. Source: http://www.ravenel.net

CSS Design Features

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Source: http://www.freyssinetusa.com/images/freyssinet/lightbox/stay_cable_1.jpg