News Summary
The Highway 11 bridge over Interstate 26 in Spartanburg County will close for repairs starting September 3. The repairs are expected to take until October and will involve surface work with no structural fixes required. The South Carolina Department of Transportation announced detour routes for drivers, aiming to ensure safety and efficiency during this essential infrastructure maintenance.
Spartanburg County Bridge Over I-26 to Close for Repairs Starting September 3
The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) will close the Highway 11 bridge over Interstate 26 in Spartanburg County for repairs starting September 3. The closure is expected to last until October and will focus on surface repairs, with no structural repairs needed.
SCDOT spokesperson Kelly Moore has indicated that, weather permitting, repairs are estimated to be completed within a month. Following the primary repair work, intermittent lane closures will continue until all tasks are finalized, ensuring that any necessary work outside the main repairs can be conducted safely.
Detour Routes Announced for Drivers
To accommodate drivers during the bridge closure, specific detour routes have been established for both southbound and northbound motorists. Southbound SC 11 drivers will detour using I-26 West to Exit 1 (Landrum Road SC 14) to cross the bridge and return to I-26 East. Conversely, northbound SC 11 drivers will divert via I-26 East to Exit 10 (SC-292 ramp), crossing the bridge before returning to I-26 West.
Project Context and Background
The bridge closure occurs in the context of ongoing infrastructure improvements, as SCDOT is currently finalizing an eight-year, $470 million project that involved widening I-85 between Spartanburg and Cherokee counties from four to six lanes. This expansion is part of a broader effort to enhance transportation efficiency and safety in the region.
Across South Carolina, SCDOT manages approximately 8,500 bridges, with many requiring repairs due to age and condition. In 2024, state lawmakers approved $200 million aimed at repairing and replacing bridges classified as in poor condition. An additional $239 million in federal funding has also been designated for bridge projects statewide, allowing SCDOT to address many infrastructure concerns effectively.
The agency has marked plans to replace or repair more than 150 bridges across the state, demonstrating a commitment to maintaining and improving transportation networks. In Spartanburg County alone, several bridges have been recently closed for repairs, including the Blackstock Road bridge and the Old Burnett Road bridge over Thompson Creek. Detour routes for these locations have also been announced to assist drivers navigating around the closures.
Community Engagement
SCDOT encourages community members to stay informed about the bridge repairs and ongoing closures by checking the SCDOT website. This resource will provide essential updates and help residents plan their travel routes accordingly during this period of infrastructure enhancement.
Conclusion
The closing of the Highway 11 bridge for repairs marks a significant step towards ensuring the safety and longevity of South Carolina’s transportation infrastructure. As SCDOT continues its efforts to maintain and improve the state’s numerous bridges, residents and drivers are reminded to remain aware of announced detours and updates throughout the repair process.
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Additional Resources
- Post and Courier
- Wikipedia: Infrastructure
- Go Upstate
- Google Search: Spartanburg bridge repairs
- WYFF4
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Bridge
- Fox Carolina
- Google News: SCDOT bridge repairs
- WSPA
- Google Scholar: Infrastructure improvements South Carolina
- Greenville Online
Author: STAFF HERE SPARTANBURG
The SPARTANBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESpartanburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Spartanburg International Festival, Spartanburg ArtWalk, and motorsport events at Spartanburg Speedway. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce and the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Foundation, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and textiles that power the local economy such as BMW Manufacturing and Milliken & Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
