The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) is moving forward with a bridge replacement project in Newberry County that will provide a safer and more reliable crossing over the Bush River while improving access for residents and emergency responders in the area.
The project involves replacing the aging bridge carrying S-244 (Counts Sausage Road) over the Bush River southeast of Newberry. According to SCDOT, the existing structure has reached the end of its service life and is subject to weight restrictions that limit its ability to accommodate modern traffic demands.
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Located between S.C. 395 and Elbert Hunter Road, the bridge serves rural residents, agricultural traffic and local businesses. SCDOT officials said the replacement will improve safety, enhance mobility and reduce long-term maintenance needs. According to the agency's project overview, the new bridge is being designed to meet current engineering standards and provide a more durable crossing over the Bush River.
Construction activity has already resulted in a closure of the existing bridge. According to SCDOT's road conditions information, Counts Sausage Road is closed at the Bush River crossing and traffic is being detoured while crews complete the work. The closure is expected to remain in place through the construction period.
A video released by SCDOT highlights the scope of the project and shows plans for the new structure, which will replace the existing bridge with a wider and more modern crossing designed to better accommodate current and future traffic. The agency noted that maintaining a safe and dependable route across the river is a primary goal of the project.
The work represents one of several bridge replacement projects underway across South Carolina as SCDOT continues efforts to address aging infrastructure. According to the department's current projects list, the Counts Sausage Road bridge replacement is part of a statewide initiative to improve structurally deficient and functionally obsolete bridges.
Project plans call for demolition of the existing bridge and construction of a new structure on the same alignment. Bid documents indicate the work includes bridge construction access, removal and disposal of the existing bridge, excavation, pile installation, structural steel, reinforced concrete elements, roadway approaches, asphalt paving, drainage improvements, guardrail work, signing and pavement markings.
The project presents a variety of construction challenges. Crews must work in and around the Bush River while minimizing environmental impacts and maintaining safety throughout the construction zone. Bridge construction activities will include foundation work, substructure construction and installation of the bridge superstructure before roadway connections are completed.
According to SCDOT contract information, the project carries a construction schedule extending into late 2027, reflecting the complexity of replacing a river crossing while meeting environmental permitting requirements and modern design standards.
SCDOT screenshot
Heavy construction equipment will play a significant role throughout the project. Excavators, cranes, pile-driving equipment, earthmoving machines and paving crews will be used to complete the bridge foundations, roadway approaches and final surface work. The project also includes significant quantities of structural steel and reinforced concrete components, according to bid information released by the department.
Once complete, the new bridge is expected to provide a safer and more resilient crossing for motorists traveling through southeastern Newberry County. SCDOT officials said the investment will improve reliability for local traffic while reducing maintenance costs associated with the aging structure. According to the agency, the replacement will ensure that Counts Sausage Road continues to serve the community for decades to come.
