Two area bridges are to be replaced due to damage received from Hurricane Matthew which classified them as structurally deficient.
A public notice offering the opportunity for a public meeting is being run. The notice states the following:
All interested persons are advised that the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) proposes to replace the S-45 (Lester Road) bridges over the Little Pee Dee River, located in Dillon County near Dillon, South Carolina. These bridges are now classified as structurally deficient due to Hurricane Matthew, making it eligible for replacement through FEMA and State funding.
The SCDOT is proposing to replace these bridges on or near the existing alignment; therefore, closure of these bridges would be required during construction. The net detour length is approximately 7 miles, and would utilize S-57, State Park Road, and Bermuda Road.
The detour is anticipated to last a period of 12 to 18 months once construction begins. New right-of-way will be needed for the proposed project; however, no displacements are anticipated.
Construction of the project will also require the temporary closure of the adjacent boat ramp, a public facility owned by Dillon County.
The boat ramp and access road would be closed during construction and a portion of the access road would be relocated and improved to provide a safe distance of separation from the replaced bridge. It is the SCDOT’s intent to restore access and full use of the boat ramp after construction of the proposed project.
As a recreational resource owned by Dillon County, the boat ramp is afforded special protections under Section 4(f) of the USDOT Act.
SCDOT proposes the temporary closure of the boat ramp and access road would not adversely impact the resource; therefore, a Section 4(f) de minimis finding is being proposed. De minimis impacts on publicly-owned parks, recreation areas, and wildlife and waterfowl refuges are defined as those that do not “adversely affect the activities, features and attributes” of the Section 4(f) resource.
Any interested person may request that a public meeting be held on the project with respect to the proposed de minimis finding on the Section 4(f) resource or any possible social, economic and environmental effect of the proposal on the community. This request must be submitted in writing to Mr. Bener Amado, P.E., Program Manager, SCDOT, P.O. Box 191, Columbia, South Carolina, 29202, and received by SCDOT no later than February 9th, 2018.
It is requested that your letter contain a telephone number where you may be contacted between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
In the event such a request is received and a public meeting held, a future notice of the time and place of the meeting will be published.
Related maps, drawings, documents, and other pertinent information are available for public review at SCDOT Headquarters, 955 Park Street, Columbia, SC 29201.
Additional information regarding this project may also be obtained by calling Program Manager Bener Amado at 803-737-0181.