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WAR OVER THE WANDO 'West of the Cooper' drivers will now experience even more delays in an effort to relieve 'East of Cooper' gridlock.
It’s been several days since a portion of the westbound lanes of I-526 over the Wando were closed to traffic after a snapped cable was discovered. It’s created gridlock for drivers across Lowcountry. Relief is nowhere is sight after the South Carolina Department of Transportation announced the bridge would be closed for four weeks to repair the damaged cable.
Friday callers into 94.3 WSC say it's not right drivers from North Charleston and farther out will now be impacted by taking a lane from the Eastbound side of I-526 but, others, know it's temporary and an absolute necessity.
The Gov. issued a memo Thursday afternoon calling for the State DOT to begin reversal plans:
Governor Henry McMaster requests the SCDOT develop and execute a plan to make East-bound side of James B. Edwards bridge available for two-way traffic. It should be completed Monday morning.
Governor orders 2-way traffic on eastbound Wando Bridge, local officials worry for safety
Safety is a major concern for Charleston area officials with the lane reversal plan.
Mount Pleasant Mayor Will Haynie says all that will be dividing the two lanes on the bridge will be traffic cones. and while he is confident drivers will be paying close attention at peak rush hour, it’s the middle of the night that worries him the most with regard to potential wrecks.
"I would just say, if you plan on using this, be the most cautious that you have ever been driving. Be more cautious than you would be if you were afraid of ice on the roads," said Haynie.
DOT closed the westbound side of the Wando bridge Monday after discovering one of eight main support cables used to stabilize the bridge deck had ruptured. Wednesday, the DOT said a temporary repair of the cable would require keeping the bridge closed until June 11.
A timeline for a start of the re-routing plan has not been finalized.