The first bridge over the Cooper River was built in 1929, it was named the John P. Grace Memorial Bridge. In 1966, the Silas N. Pearman Bridge was added beside it to relieve traffic. In 1995, the original bridge got an F rating in safety which prompted efforts to replace both with a new 8-lane bridge.

In 2001, construction began on the $632 million Arthur Ravenel Jr. bridge. It is a cable-stayed design with two diamond-shaped towers, each 575 feet. Over 80,000 vehicles cross it every day. The 2.5-mile bridge is designed to sustain a 7.5 earthquake on the Richter scale. It opened on July 16, 2005 and includes a 12ft biker/walker lane.

Once a year the bridge is closed to vehicles and opened to runners. The Cooper River race, sponsored by the USA Track & Field is scheduled on the first weekend of April. 40,000 runners participate making it the 3rd largest 10k race in the US.

My photos below were taken in 2021 on multiple visits to Mount Pleasant.

References Charleston Visitors Guide, Wikipedia, Cooper River Bridge Run, AllTrails

South Carolina Hiking and Attraction Map

You might enjoy these posts nearby:

• The Gardens of Mepkin Abbey
• Comingtee Plantation
• Shem Creek
• Caw Caw Interpretive Center
• Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge
• The Awendaw Passage of the Palmetto Trail
• Cypress Gardens
• Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
• James Island County Park Festival of Lights
• Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge