Anyone who’s ever crossed the Arthur Ravenel, Jr. Bridge connecting Charleston to Mount Pleasant in the Lowcountry of South Carolina will undoubtedly attest to the magnificence of the structure. With a main span clocking in at 1,546 feet, the bridge currently boasts the third longest such span for a cable-stayed bridge in the Western Hemisphere. Most people, however, don’t stop to wonder how this engineering feat measures up against other bridges in the U.S. in terms of height.
One might assume that since this is the Lowcountry that a bridge here couldn't stand a chance against the heights of other bridges, say out West, for instance, where bridges gap deep crevices and cross tall mountain gaps.
And while it's true, South Carolina's bridge of pride and joy isn't the absolute tallest in the country, it is in the Top 100 tallest bridges - currently ranking 68th in height, based on the clearance below the bridge's surface.
The Arthur Ravenel, Jr. Bridge opened in 2005 with a fanfare grand opening that took place over July 4th.
After a long and arduous construction period that lasted a little more than four years, the communities of Charleston and Mount Pleasant were rearing to go to get at the new crossing - and to relieve traffic congestion that could add hours to the commute home each day.
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Prior to the opening of the new bridge and during the construction period, the Grace Memorial Bridge would reverse traffic each afternoon so that two of the three lanes could push vehicles into Mount Pleasant.
It was a massive undertaking and involved scores of police men and women who would orchestrate and direct the traffic flow for nearly three hours every Monday through Friday afternoon during rush hour. Without the reversal, only one lane normally traveled northbound on Highway 17 to carry vehicles into the Town of Mount Pleasant.
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Then in 2005, all was righted by the opening of the new eight-lane Arthur Ravenel, Jr. Bridge.
The bridge is perhaps the largest piece of living art in the state. At 2.5 miles long (13,200 feet), it's most definitely the longest art installation in the state. And it's been photographed from every angle by professional and amateurs alike.
The two pedestrian and bike lanes that cross on the eastern side of the bridge afford locals and visitors the ultimate bipedal way to experience the bridge up close.
One thing for sure about South Carolina's tallest bridge is that a visit here is the quintessential stop for anyone visiting either Charleston or Mount Pleasant.
Easy access parking is available on both sides of the bridge. We prefer to enter from Mount Pleasant, where's it's an easy uphill stroll to get the perfect keepsake photo of the whole gang.
It's not as easy to pedal uphill here as it is to walk, but is oh-so rewarding for those who give it a shot.
The Arthur Ravenel, Jr. Bridge has a clearance underneath of 186 feet. The tallest point on the bridge measures 575 feet. The old John P. Grace Memorial Bridge had a clearance of 155 feet and measured 250 feet in overall height.
Did you realize South Carolina’s Arthur Ravenel, Jr. Bridge is in the Top 100 tallest bridges in the county and currently ranks 68? Have you crossed it lately to soak up the fantastic views? And finally, do you remember the white-knuckle experience of driving over the old bridges? Get a peek at a video crossing the old bridge in this previous article! And see some rare photos of the bridge during construction here.
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