Gervais Street Bridge

Gervais Street Bridge is a concrete arch bridge spanning the Congaree River between downtown Columbia and West Columbia. Nine open spandrel arches support the roadway, and green cast iron lamp fixtures line its length.

Construction began in 1926 and opened in February 1928, replacing earlier wooden bridges destroyed during the Civil War. This modern concrete structure marked a major step forward in the region's infrastructure development.

The palmetto tree designs at the lamp post bases reflect local South Carolina symbolism woven into the bridge's structure. These ornamental details show how early engineers incorporated regional identity into a practical crossing.

The bridge features four traffic lanes connecting downtown Columbia directly to West Columbia as the main crossing route. When visiting, expect active traffic and use the walkways to observe the structure and lamp details.

The bridge stands apart through its nine open spandrel arches, an engineering approach that was innovative for its time. This design choice allowed the crossing to be built economically while creating a distinctive visual character that remains uncommon among river crossings.

Location: Columbia

Inception: February 1928

GPS coordinates: 33.99500,-81.05306

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:08