The first of four bridge projects designed to help alleviate flooding has been completed in Crusoe Island.
The Dock Road bridge project at the Waccamaw River, known locally as the “Slough Bridge,” is actually the second in line, according to Division Engineer Kenneth Clark of the Department of Transportation (DOT). That section was the focus of many area residents, since it is closest to the river and one of the worst places for flooding during hurricanes Florence and Matthew.
“This particular location replaced a set of large pipes with a long bridge and was a major request of the Crusoe community,” Clark said in an email.
Four bridge projects are slated for the road, Clark explained. In each case, a bridge will replace a culvert. The work is scheduled to go from the western end of the road to the east, but the river project was prioritized at the request of residents. This project is actually the second of the four in line, but was bumped up to get ahead of possible storms.
“This bridge was started and completed first because of its significance to the residents of Crusoe and their desire that it be done ahead of hurricane season,” he said.
Work has shifted to the section closest to N.C. 130, to help ensure residents can evacuate the island in case of flooding. The other two bridge projects will come later, then the entire section will be repaved.
