Ben Sawyer Bridge, Swing bridge in Mount Pleasant, United States
Ben Sawyer Bridge is a steel truss swing bridge on South Carolina Highway 703, crossing the Intracoastal Waterway between Mount Pleasant and Sullivan's Island. Its 247-foot swing span pivots on a central axis, and a two-story operator's house sits at the middle of the span. The bridge has a 32-foot clearance at high tide and a single 5-foot sidewalk on the harbor side.
Construction began in 1943 during World War II and the bridge opened in 1945 as the first vehicle connection to Sullivan's Island. It was named after Benjamin Mack Sawyer, a longtime leader of the South Carolina Highway Department.
The crossing stands as a memorial to Benjamin Mack Sawyer, who led the South Carolina Highway Department as Chief Commissioner from 1926 to 1940.
The bridge opens periodically to allow boat traffic through, so drivers should allow extra time when crossing. Visitors can walk across and enjoy views of the Intracoastal Waterway from the mid-span.
The 2010 replacement span was lifted into place from barges using hydraulic jacks on February 11, 2010, after the bridge closed on February 7. The $32.5 million rehabilitation, designed by Hardesty & Hanover and built by PCL, kept the historic look while widening each lane from 12 to 14 feet.
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