Greenville Leader

With Greenville's McDaniel Avenue bridge over the Reedy River and Swamp Rabbit Trail in Cleveland Park in need of repairs, the span's weight limit has been reduced to a maximum of 3 tons by the state Department of Transportation. 

The DOT has instructed that vehicles larger than 3 tons, or 6,000 pounds, such as trucks and large SUVs find an alternate route, according to a city press release. This is due to an inspection that showed “extensive corrosion” to the bridge's steel beams the Jan. 6 release said. 

“SCDOT received an emergency procurement for repairs,” the release said. “They hope to finalize bids this month, award a contract in February and begin construction soon thereafter."

The city estimates that the repairs will take about three months, with plans of reopening in late spring. 

As a result, this section of McDaniel Avenue remains closed to large cars, trucks and SUVs, and a detour has been provided by the city that takes vehicles from Ridgeland Drive down Cleveland Street, where it meets back up with McDaniel Avenue. 

When work begins on the bridge, the section of the Swamp Rabbit Trail under the bridge will be closed to pedestrian and bicycle traffic.

A detailed map of the detour can be found on Greenville’s municipal website.

WYFF Channel 4 reported nearby residents have said the bridge has been a concern for some time. One resident said it looked like it could fall apart at any time, with rusty pipes exposed below.