Built in 1925, the S-51 Bridge that crosses over Gills Creek in South Carolina was falling short of present-day safety standards and was at risk for severe damage if the creek flooded. The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) expedited its replacement and contracted with STV to oversee the design of a new, wider bridge, as well as to support SCDOT’s public outreach and utility coordination.  

The project quickly became a unique collaboration between STV’s project team and SCDOT’s roadway and geotechnical engineers, whose shared resources, innovative thinking, community-informed decisions, and cost-effective solutions replaced the bridge both under budget and as quickly as possible through a close-and-detour construction approach. The newer bridge provides the community with safer crossing. 

STV also provided a full suite of environmental services, including permitting, design and construction methodologies to preserve an endangered species of Carolina Heelsplitter clams’ habitat within the project area and minimize disruption of the stream bed.