News Summary
A bridge on Crowe Creek Road and Newton Road in Pickens County, South Carolina, partially collapsed, leading to its immediate closure and traffic detours. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries. The structure, built in 1968, had recently been flagged for replacement due to its age and load restrictions. An investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the collapse, with traffic management already implemented. The South Carolina Department of Transportation plans to assess the damage and expedite replacement efforts.
Pickens County, South Carolina, Bridge Collapse Leads to Immediate Closure
On July 21, 2025, a bridge located on Crowe Creek Road and Newton Road in Pickens County, South Carolina, experienced a partial collapse, prompting immediate closure and detours for local traffic. The bridge spans the Twelve Mile River and the Crowe Creek/Ellenburg Branch of Lake Keowee, and the incident was reported around 1:30 PM. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported as a result of the collapse.
The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) was alerted to the situation by law enforcement, leading to the swift implementation of detours. Witnesses indicated that part of the bridge gave way while a concrete truck was crossing, followed closely by a Blue Ridge truck. Due to the collapse, one lane of the existing two-lane structure has been rendered unusable.
The bridge, which has been a vital route for the local community, was originally constructed in 1968 and had previously been marked for replacement due to its age and concerns regarding structural integrity. It had been load restricted, preventing heavy trucks and large vehicles from using it. The last inspection of the bridge occurred in April 2025, with the structure rated as being in “fair” condition.
An investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the collapse, focusing on possible factors that may include overweight vehicles or deterioration from age and weather conditions, particularly flooding. This investigation comes amid reports of increased daily traffic on the bridge, with up to 2,000 vehicles utilizing it each day.
In light of the bridge closure, SCDOT has confirmed that they will conduct an immediate assessment to evaluate the extent of the damage and expedite the plans for replacement. The closure is expected to last for several months, requiring a detour length of approximately 22.3 miles. Alternative routes are already being explored, as this bridge had served as a detour during the ongoing construction of Highway 183.
Emergency Response and Traffic Impact
The South Carolina Highway Patrol and the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office are both actively involved in the response to the bridge collapse. In addition to managing the immediate investigation, they are coordinating traffic around the closed area using local roads to direct vehicles effectively and safely.
This bridge collapse comes on the heels of another bridge failure in the state, where a tanker truck caught fire on June 14, 2025, leading to the destruction of an overpass on Interstate 20 in the city of Aiken. The recent events have highlighted ongoing concerns regarding the safety and structural integrity of aging infrastructure in South Carolina.
Conclusion
As authorities assess the situation in Pickens County, residents and travelers can expect significant traffic changes in the area due to the bridge’s closure. With plans already in motion for a replacement, the focus remains on quickly resolving the matter and ensuring the safety of all who travel in the region.
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Additional Resources
- WYFF4 News
- Wikipedia: Bridge
- Fox Carolina
- Google Search: bridge collapse Pickens County
- WSPA News
- Google Scholar: bridge collapse Pickens County
- WMBF News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: bridge engineering
- Count On 2 News
- Google News: Pickens County bridge collapse
Author: STAFF HERE AIKEN
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