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 in 2005 to replace the aging Grace Memorial Bridge and Pearman Bridge, which could no longer handle growing traffic. After completion, it stood as the longest cable-stayed bridge in North America for several years.
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.
Location: South Carolina
Official opening: July 16, 2005
Address: Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge, Charleston, SC 29403, USA
Phone: +18435771685
Website: https://ravenelbridge.website
GPS coordinates: 32.80278,-79.91500
Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:04
South Carolina combines American history with coastal landscapes and urban parks. Charleston preserves colonial architecture from the 18th century, including the Nathaniel Russell House and Drayton Hall. Plantations such as Magnolia, Middleton Place, and Boone Hall show the agricultural past and the history of slavery, while the Old Slave Mart Museum and McLeod Plantation document this difficult era. Fort Sumter marks the beginning of the Civil War. The city offers historic churches, Rainbow Row with its colorful townhouses, and the Charleston City Market. The coastal region includes beaches on Hilton Head Island, Folly Beach, and Sullivan's Island, along with state parks like Hunting Island and Huntington Beach. Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet combines sculpture with native plants. Myrtle Beach offers the SkyWheel and Broadway at the Beach. Inland, the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, Falls Park in Greenville with waterfalls on the Reedy River, and the Angel Oak, a centuries-old tree near Charleston. The South Carolina Aquarium and Charleston Tea Garden round out the options.
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