The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) has reopened the US 76 bridge over the Chauga River in Oconee County. The bridge, which was closed in 2024 due to damage from Hurricane Helene, is now fully open to traffic. SCDOT coordinated with federal, state, and local partners for a rapid replacement process that began construction in January 2025. The bridge reopened less than nine months after the hurricane.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the completion of the project. Thomas Alexander, President of the South Carolina Senate, remarked, “This is a great day in Oconee County as a critical bridge has been restored for our community. I want to thank the first responders, the South Carolina Department of Transportation, and the incredible people who live here for working together to respond to the storm and the aftermath and for their hard work to get our lives back to normal.”
Secretary of Transportation Justin Powell said, “We are pleased to announce the reopening of this vital route in the upstate. This bridge is a perfect example of the perseverance of South Carolina in the wake of Hurricane Helene. We are thankful for our partners who helped us achieve this project in a fast and efficient manner and we hope that those that use this road every day will be reminded of the strength of our state and its people in the face of natural disasters.”
SCDOT expressed gratitude to the public for its patience during the project’s completion.
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