General William C. Westmoreland Bridge Explained

Bridge Name:General William C. Westmoreland Bridge
Official Name:General William C. Westmoreland Bridge
Crosses:Ashley River
Locale:Charleston, SC - North Charleston, SC
Maint:South Carolina Department of Transportation
Design:Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Length:3907 feet (1191.2 m)
Width:40 feet (12m) each span
Load:45 metric tons
Clearance:35 feet (10.7m)
Traffic:82,800 (2019)
Complete:1980
Toll:none
Coordinates:32.8344°N -80.0253°W

The General William C. Westmoreland Bridge connects the city of North Charleston with the West Ashley area of Charleston in South Carolina. Composed of twin spans, it carries two lanes of Interstate 526 in each direction across the Ashley River and the surrounding marshes. It is often referred to as simply the "Westmoreland Bridge".

The highway was named for General William C. Westmoreland, a South Carolina native and graduate of West Point. He is perhaps best known for being a commander of US forces during the Vietnam War.

References