Paul Gelegotis Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Paul Gelegotis Bridge |
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| Coordinates | 32°45′10.71″N 80°0′37.35″W / 32.7529750°N 80.0103750°W |
| Carries |  SC 700 (Maybank Highway) |
| Crosses | Stono River |
| Locale | James Island – John's Island, South Carolina, United States |
| Official name | Paul Gelegotis Bridge |
| Maintained by | South Carolina Department of Transportation |
| Characteristics | |
| Total length | 7,300 feet (2,200 m) |
| Clearance below | 65 feet (20 m) (high water) |
| History | |
| Opened | 2003 |
The Paul Gelegotis Bridge, also called the Stono Bridge, is in Charleston, South Carolina. It connects James Island and Johns Island. You can find it on SC 700, which is also known as Maybank Highway. This important bridge opened in late 2003. It stands on a spot that has a lot of history, where other Stono Bridges used to be.
A Look Back: The Bridge's History
The area where the current bridge stands is famous for a major event. This was the site of the Stono Rebellion. This rebellion was one of the first organized acts against slavery in the Americas. On September 9, 1739, a group of enslaved people took action. They gathered near the bridge, taking weapons and gunpowder from a nearby store.
The bridge also played a role during the American Civil War. Forces from the Union tried to burn it down. They floated burning rafts towards the wooden bridge. However, a brave Lieutenant Smith and his naval team stopped them. They managed to pull the burning rafts to shore, saving the bridge.
There have been several bridges at this exact spot over time. The one before the current bridge was built in 1928. It was a two-lane bridge, about 1,416 feet (432 meters) long. It was updated in 1950. This older bridge was a swing-span drawbridge. This means a part of it would swing open. It had a 156-foot (48-meter) steel section. This design left very little space for boats to pass underneath unless the bridge was open.
Building the Modern Paul Gelegotis Bridge
The new Paul Gelegotis Bridge is much bigger and more modern. It has four lanes and is about 7,300 feet (2,200 meters) long. It started operating in 2003. Its new design is much higher. This allows cars to drive faster. Also, boats can easily pass underneath. There is 65 feet (20 meters) of space below the bridge. There is also 90 feet (27 meters) of clear space between the bridge supports for boats.
This bridge is named after Paul Gelegotis. He was a businessman and a politician from James Island. He is known for starting the first EMS ambulance service in South Carolina in 1973.
The South Carolina Department of Transportation opened two lanes of the bridge in November 2003. The other two lanes opened in June 2004. The opening was delayed by six months because of three construction accidents. Two accidents happened when cranes fell onto the bridge. In the third accident, a worker fell 30 feet (9 meters) from a crane.
The new bridge includes special lanes for emergency vehicles. However, it does not have specific lanes for bicycles or sidewalks. This bridge was the first to use the South Carolina Department of Transportation's new rules for earthquake-resistant design. The total cost to build the bridge was about $41.5 million. The bridge was officially opened on June 17, 2004.
Because the new bridge allows traffic to move faster, Charleston is thinking about a new project. They might spend about two million dollars to build a tunnel. This tunnel would go beneath the bridge ramps. It would allow golf carts and people walking to cross safely.
