How two states are tackling major bridge projects

South Carolina and Georgia have gone together to make an application of the federal government for a planning grant to replace or rehabilitate as many as six bridges that straddle the two states over Lake Hartwell.  According to the SCDOT, the application requests $1.68M in the Bridge Investment Program for what’s called a Planning and Environmental Linkages Study for 2.5 miles on I-85.  “If awarded,” says Kelly Moore, SCDOT spokeswoman, “we would use the grant funds to complete the Planning and Environmental Linkages Study — a necessary study that will help us assess the current conditions and recommend appropriate replacement or rehabilitation options for the bridges.”  There’s talk in Fair Play of the potential for eventually routing I-85 traffic south of the existing interstate to effect a new route to cross from one state to another.