News Summary
The closure of Cannons Campground Road due to bridge replacement is causing a significant decline in business for local stores. Owners report staggering decreases in foot traffic, leading to financial hardships. The road, a key access point, is expected to remain closed until November 2025, forcing residents to navigate inconvenient detours. As the South Carolina Department of Transportation continues to assess and address bridge safety, the wider community feels the impact of reduced accessibility and declining commerce.
Spartanburg, South Carolina – The ongoing closure of Cannons Campground Road is severely impacting local businesses as bridge replacement efforts are progressing slowly. Bavesh Patel, owner of a nearby convenience store, reports a staggering 70% decrease in business since the road was closed, reflecting the significant consequences for local commerce due to reduced customer access. The road serves as a vital two-lane entry point to Spartanburg’s east side, and the absence of traffic flow has transformed bustling streets into quiet zones.
The bridge over Peter’s Creek along Cannons Campground Road has been out of service since May 2024 due to extensive damage. While the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) originally anticipated repairing the bridge, inspections revealed the damage was severe enough to mandate a complete replacement. Consequently, residents and business owners are facing a prolonged disruption, with the road expected to remain closed until November 2025.
Business Impact
The ramifications of this closure extend beyond just one storefront. Patel, along with his son, Kashyap, used to see a steady stream of customers at their store, but now they report only one customer every 15 minutes. Meanwhile, Darryl Mroz, who operates a lawn equipment sales and repair shop, has seen his revenue drop by 40% over the past year, attributing the loss directly to the bridge closure and the resulting limitations on customer access.
Residents are also feeling the effects of the closure as it complicates travel and significantly limits access to essential services. The detour route for drivers includes Old Converse Road and East Main Street, but this alternative path is not direct and adds to travel inconveniences. This is particularly concerning for residents like Cheryl Bryant, who expressed alarm over the challenge of accessing medical services due to the prolonged detour.
State Response
In a bid to address increased concerns over bridge safety, SCDOT has reported that there are approximately 8,500 bridges under its jurisdiction, with around 2,400 being over 60 years old. In 2024, South Carolina lawmakers approved $200 million to repair and replace bridges in poor condition, augmenting federal funding of $239 million. This funding is critical as the SCDOT aims to replace or repair over 150 bridges throughout the state.
Bridge inspections are vital to public safety, with transportation engineers evaluating structures based on their general condition and any damages. Bridges that score four or lower on a scale from zero to nine are flagged for major rehabilitation or complete replacement, prompting necessary action. Alongside the Cannons Campground Road project, other projects are also planned for Spartanburg County, indicating broader infrastructural issues at play across the region.
While some neighboring counties, such as Greenville, are preparing for bridge replacement projects scheduled to commence in 2026, funding constraints mean that similar improvements in Anderson County are not anticipated to begin until 2033. This discrepancy highlights the challenges faced by local governments in maintaining aging infrastructure.
Moreover, safety incidents related to bridge weight limits have resulted in significant enforcement actions, with the State Transport Police issuing numerous citations after a bridge partially collapsed under the burden of an overweight vehicle in Pickens County. Recent survey findings illustrate the urgency of repairing and replacing deficient structures to safeguard both public safety and local businesses.
Conclusion
The ongoing situations surrounding Cannons Campground Road are a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of infrastructure, commerce, and community wellbeing. With residents facing long detours, businesses struggling with decreased foot traffic, and critical services becoming harder to reach, the completion of the bridge replacement project promises to restore vital access to Spartanburg’s east side. For now, affected residents and business owners await a resolution to a challenge that has deeply affected daily life in their community.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- GoUpstate: Bridge Replacement Closure
- Wikipedia: Main Page
- WSPA: I-26 Bridge Closure Announcement
- Google Search: Spartanburg bridges
- Fox Carolina: I-26 Bridge Repairs
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Main Page
- WYFF4: Diverging Diamond Interchange Closure
- Google News: Bridge Repair Spartanburg
- Greenville Journal: I-85 Bridge Closure
- Google Scholar: Bridge Infrastructure South Carolina
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
