Richard V. Woods Memorial Bridge

The Richard V. Woods Memorial Bridge is a swing bridge that crosses the Beaufort River and connects downtown Beaufort with Lady's Island and surrounding islands in South Carolina. The structure rotates on its central axis to allow boats to pass through on the Intracoastal Waterway.

The bridge opened in 1959 and replaced an earlier swing bridge dating from 1927. It was renamed in 1971 to honor a state highway patrol officer who had died.

The bridge structure appears in the 1994 film Forrest Gump, making it recognizable to audiences worldwide and cementing its place in American cinema.

The bridge opens regularly for boat traffic and provides about 30 feet of clearance when closed. It is designed for vehicles up to about 20 tons and is operated by staff who manage the opening sequence.

What sets this bridge apart is the operator's station located at its center, where staff directly control the rotating mechanism. This central position makes the opening process visible and tangible to anyone crossing on foot.

Location: Beaufort County

Inception: December 17, 1959

Official opening: 1959

GPS coordinates: 32.42750,-80.66917

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:00