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An extensive fireworks display heralded the ceremonial lighting of the bridge's cables. |
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Greater navigational clearance enables Charleston to become more competitive in commercial shipping. |
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The project included a coordinated architectural theme with input from the local community. |
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Kudos from Client and Community
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The new Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, named after a South Carolina state senator, was embraced by the Charleston community, bringing substantial economic benefit through providing jobs and purchasing local materials and services. More than 150,000 people came out to walk on the new bridge on the weekend prior to its official opening. An extensive fireworks display made national news and heralded the ceremonial lighting of the bridge's cables.
The project has received a number of prestigious awards from industry organizations, including a pair from the American Road and Transportation Builders Association: a 2005 Globe Award for Environmental Excellence and a PRIDE Award for community relations. Other honors include the 2005 Outstanding Project Award in the bridges and transportation structures category from the National Council of Structural Engineers Associations; a 2005 Special Award from the National Steel Bridge Alliance; and Southeast Construction magazine's 2005 Best Transportation Project Award.
"PB was of course the keystone of the project. The ability of the designers to coordinate with all the elements of the team, and at the same time satisfy the sometimes conflicting desires of the players, was something to behold," said Edwin W. McLaughlin, president of Tidewater Skanska, Inc., which with Flatiron Constructors made up the Palmetto Bridge Constructors joint venture.
"I want to express my sincere thanks to PB on behalf of the South Carolina Department of Transportation for a job well done and for furnishing the people of South Carolina with a state-of-the-art bridge that will be a source of community pride for decades," said Robert F. Clair, Director of Engineering, Special Projects, for the SCDOT.
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