Ben Sawyer Bridge, Swing bridge in Mount Pleasant, United States.
The Ben Sawyer Bridge spans 1,154 feet across the Intracoastal Waterway, featuring a central pivot Pratt Truss design with twelve steel plate girder approach spans.
Construction began in 1943 during World War II material shortages, and the bridge officially opened on June 18, 1945, as the sole vehicle access to Sullivan's Island.
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 on request during weekdays between 7 am to 9 am and 4 pm to 6 pm, while weekend openings occur hourly from 9 am until 7 pm.
During Hurricane Hugo, the main span detached and fell into the Intracoastal Waterway, leading to extensive repairs and reopening in October 1989.
Location: Mount Pleasant
Location: Sullivan's Island
Inception: 1945
Official opening: 1945
GPS coordinates: 32.77310,-79.84220
Latest update: November 28, 2025 14:29
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