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Ben Sawyer Bridge Rehabilitation

Charleston County, SC

The Ben Sawyer Bridge is a 1945 swing span bridge connecting the South Carolina towns of Sullivan’s Island and Mount Pleasant over the Intracoastal Waterway. The bridge’s rehabilitation includes improving the approaches to the bridge, replacing the steel superstructure on the swing span, and replacing the bridge’s electrical and mechanical systems.
The existing Ben Sawyer Bridge conveys SC Route 703 (Ben Sawyer Boulevard) over the Intracoastal Waterway. The moveable bridge built in 1942 is unique due to location, existing architectural elements, historical setting, and importance as an evacuation route from the barrier island of Sullivan’s Island.

The existing bridge consists of a 247-foot thru-truss steel swing span, flanked by 452-foot steel two-girder approach spans on both approaches. The design-build project consists of the replacement of the entire superstructure, including the swing span electrical and mechanical components. The substructures require new bearings and other modifications.

F&H is a subconsultant to Hardesty & Hanover, LLP, who is performing the bridge superstructure design. F&H services include:

  • Design of Roadway approach
  • Environmental Permitting
  • Environmental Commitment Monitoring
  • Drainage
  • Erosion Prevention & Sediment Control
  • Quality Control Management
  • Bridge Design support

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