The South Carolina Department of Transportation has officially reopened the Church Street bridge in downtown Greenville.
A $30 million rehabilitation project was completed to enhance the 67-year-old bridge which spans 0.32 miles from Washington Street to East Camperdown Way. Renovations began in the spring of 2025 to improve the bridge’s deteriorating deck, storm drainage system, pedestrian safety and overall structural condition.
Partial closures of the Church Street (U.S. 29) bridge took place during the approximately 14 month restoration project. The four-lane bridge has been fully closed since early May to allow crews to complete the final stage of rehabilitation work. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on June 15 to celebrate the reopening of the Church Street bridge to vehicular traffic.
“I can say with full confidence that this is a day that every resident in the city of Greenville has eagerly awaited,” said Greenville City Councilmember Dorothy Dowe.
The rehabilitation project consisted of repaving the bridge deck, completing structural improvements, expanding the western sidewalk, adding new lighting, installing enhanced pedestrian barriers and constructing a new stairway to McBee Street. SCDOT Deputy Secretary for Engineering Rob Perry said the project’s construction contract cost $22 million.
The city of Greenville assisted with the rehabilitation of the Church Street bridge, contributing $2 million to fund the project’s aesthetic improvements. Dowe said the city collaborated on the bridge’s design and supported the construction to ensure the project stayed on schedule. City staff also assisted with developing the detour routes and a signal timing modification plan for the project.
“We took an infrastructure repair project and turned it into good architecture and design,” said Greenville Mayor Knox White. “Now the bridge is more than a convenience, it’s part of the city skyline we can be proud of.”
The Church Street bridge was originally built in 1959, directing traffic over McBee Avenue and East Broad Street in downtown Greenville. SCDOT identified the need to rehabilitate the bridge in 2017 due to its deteriorating condition from age and high traffic volumes. Perry said the rehabilitation project adds 25 to 30 years to its service life.
“We thank the public for their patience throughout the closure,” Perry said. “The improvements made here will serve Greenville well for decades to come.”
SCDOT crews are currently finishing final aesthetic improvements to the Church Street bridge. The project’s remaining work include constructing the pedestrian staircase to McBee Street, adding pedestrian handrails on the bridge, installing landscaping below the bridge and adding the pedestrian lights to the bridge wall.
Drivers are encouraged to slow down and remain alert while crews complete these finishing touches to the Church Street bridge. According to the city, the bridge’s sidewalks remain closed to pedestrians until the new handrails are fully installed. The rehabilitation project is expected to be fully complete by the end of July.
Quotes
“As usual, we’ve created a model here in Greenville. Everybody’s going to want one and they’ve seen what is capable when the state and the city work together.” – State Rep. Chandra Dillard
“Transportation is more than roads and bridges. It’s about connecting people to the places that matter most in their lives.” – SCDOT Commissioner Pamela Christopher
“Beautiful, fantastic – that is the Church Street bridge, the infrastructure that is here to ease and to add to economics in the city of Greenville, but it also demonstrates a partnership with the state of South Carolina and the city of Greenville coming together to improve the quality of life for all.” – State Sen. Karl Allen
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Average daily traffic volume on Church Street bridge
- 2021: 26,300 vehicles
- 2025: 38,600 vehicles
Source: South Carolina Department of Transportation
