Reef Building thru Recycling

Conservation of Natural Resources

REEF BUILDING THRU RECYCLING

When SCDOT built a new bridge over the Cooper River in Charleston, it salvaged material (two main spans) from the two old bridges to create artificial reefs to enhance the ocean habitat for the state’s wildlife-rich coastline. When the two main spans were removed, they were transported offshore. The remaining steel from the bridges was also recycled. For its efforts, SCDOT won a President’s Award from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO).

The land from the old bridges is also being used in a socially and environmentally friendly way. In Mount Pleasant, SCDOT has partnered with the town to create open park space and public access to the waterfront.