Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, Cable-stayed bridge in Charleston, United States.
Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge crossing the Cooper River in Charleston, South Carolina. The structure sits on two diamond-shaped towers and carries eight traffic lanes plus a separate bike and pedestrian path linking downtown with Mount Pleasant.
The bridge opened on July 16, 2005, replacing the 1929 John P. Grace Memorial Bridge and the 1966 Silas N. Pearman Bridge, whose narrow lanes and low river clearance could no longer serve growing traffic or larger ships. Retired congressman Arthur Ravenel Jr. ran for the state senate to solve the funding problem, and lawmakers voted to name the structure after him while he was still alive. Its main span of 1,546 feet (471 m) ranks seventh among cable-stayed bridges in the Western Hemisphere.
The Cooper River Bridge Run attracts 50,000 participants annually, transforming the bridge into a gathering point for athletes and spectators.
The bike and pedestrian path is open day and night, offering views of the harbor and water in both directions. Parking is available at both ends, allowing visitors to start a walk or ride across the span.
Two artificial rock islands surround each main tower and are designed to catch ships before they can strike the foundations. These protective islands are part of a system that makes the bridge more resistant to maritime traffic accidents.
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