41 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com breathtaking panorama. The older bridges shared the limelight in their day, but safety had become an issue on the antiquated and rusting duo. However, there was another consideration in erecting the Ravenel Bridge. With the shipping industry propelling much of the area’s economy and container ships becoming larger, a new bridge had become a necessity. Mega freighters needed to be able to pass underneath on their way to and from the port terminals, but that wasn’t possible with the lower height of the earlier structures. The roadbed of the Ravenel soars 186 feet above the river, providing vessels with safe clearance. In the 1990s, a new Cooper River bridge was one of a handful of major infrastructure priorities across the state. As is often the case, funding presented a challenge. The State Infrastructure Bank was created to finance the statewide projects, but communities were required to pay a share of those being considered. Residents opposed both a toll and an increase in sales tax to provide the money. Ultimately, Arthur Ravenel Jr., the state senator representing Mount Pleasant at the time (and eventual namesake of the bridge) helped to forge local, state and federal partnerships and bridge the chasm that usually defines politics. Also unusual was the fact that the bridge was a design-built project, meaning that the bridge’s design was still being ironed out while construction was underway. One example of that is the pedestrian and bike path, an addition spearheaded by the grassroots efforts of local residents and community leaders. Another rarity was the fact that the completion of the Ravenel Bridge came a year early. The Ravenel’s defining diamond-shaped towers, 575 feet high, anchor 128 individual cables that suspend the roadbed. Each tower is built on a manmade 1-acre island of rocks, preventing any wayward ships from crashing into the towers. The bridge can withstand an earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale and hurricane wind gusts of 300 mph. But one forecast that may not have been as predictable is the rapid increase in the number of automobiles using the bridge daily. The Ravenel was designed for 100,000 vehicles a day, a figure it was originally projected to reach in 2030. That number is now inching closer by the day. Now, when you’re stuck in traffic on the bridge, roll the windows down, turn on some music and enjoy the view. Not everyone is lucky enough to see this impressive structure in person. our town NORTHCUTT PLAZA 976 Houston Northcutt Blvd., Suite M., Mt. Pleasant, SC | 843.284.8977 TENNISSHOPMOUNTPLEASANT.COM M-TH 10am-6pm FRI 10am-5pm SAT 9am-3pm SUN Closed VISIT US FOR ALL YOUR PET NEEDS! MOUNT PLEASANT @WGBMtPleasant mtpleasant@woofgangbakery.com woofgangbakery_mtp Personalized Gourmet Treats Pet Nutrition Premium Grooming Services Exclusive 1055 Johnnie Dodds Blvd, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 • 843-388-5167 STORE HOURS MONDAY- FRIDAY 10 A.M.- 6 P.M. SATURDAY 10 A.M.- 5 P.M. SUNDAY CLOSED
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