Newberry Residents Alerted to SC 121 Bridge Closure Following Multiple Accidents

Newberry Residents Need to Know About SC 121 Bridge Closure!

NEWBERRY, S.C. — If you’re planning to hit the road this weekend, there’s a big heads-up you won’t want to miss! The SC 121 bridge over I-26 has officially been closed as of early Friday evening, and it’s all due to some unfortunate accidents that happened in the area.

The Story Behind the Closure

Newberry County Sheriff Lee Foster has some important updates regarding the closure. It turns out that two separate accidents involving this bridge within just a few days have prompted the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) to take immediate action. The first incident occurred earlier this week, followed by another just today, making it crucial for authorities to step in.

According to Sheriff Foster, whenever there’s an accident involving a bridge, SCDOT jumps in to assess any potential damage. Unluckily, the SC 121 bridge has sustained damage from these two accidents, prompting the department to declare it unsafe. “Unfortunately, in the last couple days we’ve had two accidents on I-26 that have hit that bridge, and it had done damage to it. Damage that the Department of Transportation has determined would make it dangerous,” he explained.

What Caused The Accidents?

So, what exactly happened? Well, it looks like truck traffic has increased significantly since I-26 was initially built. Sheriff Foster noted that larger trucks can lead to big issues. “They’re actually in the process of raising those bridges because they’ve been hit so many times,” he pointed out. When oversized trucks pass through or if something malfunctions, these vehicles can unintentionally strike the bridge structure — leading to significant damage.

Detour Information for Drivers

For those of you driving in the Newberry area, here’s what you need to know about detours. If you’re heading east or west, make sure to take Exit 74 onto Highway 34, then make a turn onto US-176, and finally get back to SC 121. If you’re heading south, you should use Exit 60 onto SC 121, then follow that up with 76 and back to 34.

As for when the bridge will reopen, Sheriff Foster couldn’t provide a clear timeline. One thing’s for sure: residents and drivers alike will need to show a bit of patience while authorities assess the situation and work on a plan for the bridge’s repairs. After all, safety has to come first!

Keep an Eye Out!

We know that closures like this can throw a wrench in your weekend plans, but safety is always the priority. It’s best to keep yourself updated with any further announcements from local authorities about the bridge’s status. Be sure to follow the detour routes to avoid any unnecessary delays while traveling.

So there you have it, folks! Stay safe out there this weekend, and be cautious around the detour routes. Keep your fingers crossed for a speedy resolution to this closure so we can all get back to our regular driving routines!