Have you been stuck in traffic because the Wappoo Creek Bridge is open? This is the bridge on Folly Road that connects James Island to West Ashley. On the James Island side, the traffic can be backed up to Maybank Highway. On the West Ashley side, traffic can be at a standstill past the South Windermere Center.
The bridge is an “on-demand” bridge, that is, it will only open if a boater calls in and requests it. Even though boaters can call in, the bridge will only open at specific times.
The current opening schedule has been in effect since May 4, 2018. The drawbridge shall open on signal; except that the draw need not open from 6:00 am to 9:29 am and 3:31 pm to 7:00 pm, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Between 9:30 am and 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, the draw need open only once an hour on the half hour.
Wappoo Creek Bridge is a double drawbridge which means that two spans will open simultaneously. It was built in 1956 and is part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway system.
To read the complete text from the Coast Guard, click here. Once on the site, you will have to download the file with the regulations.
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