Silas N. Pearman Bridge, Cantilever bridge in Charleston, United States
The Silas N. Pearman Bridge is a cantilever bridge that crosses the Cooper River, connecting Charleston to Mount Pleasant in South Carolina. The structure features three traffic lanes, including two permanent northbound lanes and one reversible lane that adjusts to traffic demand.
The bridge opened on April 29, 1966, built to handle growing traffic needs in the region. It was added alongside the existing Grace Memorial Bridge to expand crossing capacity across the Cooper River.
The bridge received its name from Silas Nathaniel Pearman, a key figure in South Carolina transportation development during the mid-20th century.
The bridge is accessible via several approach roads and can be crossed on foot. During rush hour, the reversible lane changes direction to accommodate traffic flow, so timing your crossing can make a difference.
The reversible lane is a notable engineering solution that automatically changes direction throughout the day to reduce congestion. This adaptive traffic management was innovative for bridge design when it was first introduced.
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