A South Carolina DOT official says this winter’s frequent rainfall has delayed the finish of repairs to a bridge that feeds traffic to Central’s Wal-Mart store. The DOT’s Jason Allison told 96.3/WGOG NEWS that, in spite of the delays faced by the contractor, repairs to 18 Mile Creek Bridge in Pickens County should be completed this month, and the bridge reopened by March 31. According to Allison, it’s possible but not likely the work will be finished by St. Patrick’s Day, Sunday, March 17. The bridge located near the 123 interchange was closed in November because of problems with the foundation that caused the bridge deck to drop about one foot. At the time, SC DOT bridge engineers were in the process of identifying bridges of similar design that led to the deterioration of the piles on the 18 Mile Creek Bridge do not cause similar problems elsewhere in the state.
