John F. Limehouse Memorial Bridge
Encyclopedia
The John F. Limehouse Memorial Bridge, located about 15 miles west of downtown Charleston, South Carolina
, replaced an obsolete low-level swing bridge
over the Stono River
. The new bridge
, which crosses a channel between Johns Island
and West Ashley
was completed under a partnership between the South Carolina Department of Transportation
(SCDOT) and the United States Coast Guard
.
is a critical part of the 3,000 miles of Intracoastal Waterway
used by barges, fishing boats, and recreational mariners. The former swing bridge, built in 1958, was an obstruction to vessel traffic, thus removal was mandated by the Coast Guard in an Order to Alter issued in 1994, leaving only a few swing bridges in the Coast Guard’s Seventh District, from Key West, Florida
to the northernmost areas of South Carolina
The new, 2,800-foot concrete structure is a high-level, fixed span. The new bridge has a horizontal clearance for vessels of 215 feet compared with the former clearance of 93-feet and a vertical clearance of 65-feet above the high water mark, compared to a previous clearance of only 13-feet (closed). The new structure accommodates four lanes of traffic and provides access to Johns, Kiawah, Seabrook and Wadmalaw Islands.
Construction was awarded to Jones brothers, Inc. (JB), from MT. Juliet, Tenon.
The Coast Guard provided about $21 million of the total $30 million bridge cost, with the rest paid by the State.
The State government donated the debris to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources artificial reef
program. After demolishing the old span, the contractor
transported its concrete and steel components to the Kiawah Reef site about 23 miles away. The Bridge was opened to traffic in June 2003, approximately two months ahead of schedule.
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
, replaced an obsolete low-level swing bridge
Swing bridge
A swing bridge is a movable bridge that has as its primary structural support a vertical locating pin and support ring, usually at or near to its centre of gravity, about which the turning span can then pivot horizontally as shown in the animated illustration to the right...
over the Stono River
Stono River
The Stono River is a tidal channel in southeast South Carolina, located southwest of Charleston. The channel runs southwest to northeast between the mainland and Wadmalaw Island and Johns Island, from north Edisto River between Johns and James Island. The Intracoastal Waterway runs through...
. The new bridge
Bridge
A bridge is a structure built to span physical obstacles such as a body of water, valley, or road, for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle...
, which crosses a channel between Johns Island
Johns Island, South Carolina
Johns Island, also spelled John's Island, is the largest island in the U.S. State of South Carolina. It is one of the many Sea Islands along the coast of South Carolina.-Background:...
and West Ashley
West Ashley
West Ashley is one of the six distinct areas of the city proper of Charleston, South Carolina, with an estimated 2010 population of 57,403. Its name is derived from the fact that the land is west of the Ashley River. A few skirmishes took place there in the American Revolution and in the Civil War...
was completed under a partnership between the South Carolina Department of Transportation
South Carolina Department of Transportation
The South Carolina Department of Transportation is a government agency in the US state of South Carolina. Its mission is to build and maintain roads and bridges and administer mass transit services....
(SCDOT) and the United States Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
.
Purpose
The Stono RiverStono River
The Stono River is a tidal channel in southeast South Carolina, located southwest of Charleston. The channel runs southwest to northeast between the mainland and Wadmalaw Island and Johns Island, from north Edisto River between Johns and James Island. The Intracoastal Waterway runs through...
is a critical part of the 3,000 miles of Intracoastal Waterway
Intracoastal Waterway
The Intracoastal Waterway is a 3,000-mile waterway along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States. Some lengths consist of natural inlets, salt-water rivers, bays, and sounds; others are artificial canals...
used by barges, fishing boats, and recreational mariners. The former swing bridge, built in 1958, was an obstruction to vessel traffic, thus removal was mandated by the Coast Guard in an Order to Alter issued in 1994, leaving only a few swing bridges in the Coast Guard’s Seventh District, from Key West, Florida
Key West, Florida
Key West is a city in Monroe County, Florida, United States. The city encompasses the island of Key West, the part of Stock Island north of U.S. 1 , Sigsbee Park , Fleming Key , and Sunset Key...
to the northernmost areas of South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
The new, 2,800-foot concrete structure is a high-level, fixed span. The new bridge has a horizontal clearance for vessels of 215 feet compared with the former clearance of 93-feet and a vertical clearance of 65-feet above the high water mark, compared to a previous clearance of only 13-feet (closed). The new structure accommodates four lanes of traffic and provides access to Johns, Kiawah, Seabrook and Wadmalaw Islands.
Design and construction
Design of the bridge was contracted to Ralph Whitehead Associates, Inc. of Charlotte, North CarolinaCharlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
Construction was awarded to Jones brothers, Inc. (JB), from MT. Juliet, Tenon.
The Coast Guard provided about $21 million of the total $30 million bridge cost, with the rest paid by the State.
The State government donated the debris to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources artificial reef
Artificial reef
An artificial reef is a human-made underwater structure, typically built to promote marine life in areas with a generally featureless bottom, control erosion, block ship passage, or improve surfing....
program. After demolishing the old span, the contractor
General contractor
A general contractor is responsible for the day-to-day oversight of a construction site, management of vendors and trades, and communication of information to involved parties throughout the course of a building project.-Description:...
transported its concrete and steel components to the Kiawah Reef site about 23 miles away. The Bridge was opened to traffic in June 2003, approximately two months ahead of schedule.