By Vareva Harris, Co-Editor | vareva@thewoodrufftimes.com
A resounding consensus echoed through the sanctuary of Beaverdam Baptist Church on the evening of May 27, 2025: Rebuild the Bridge. That was the clear and united message delivered to the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) during a Public Involvement Meeting focused on the future of the demolished bridge at Beaverdam Church Road and Kilgore Bridge Road in Laurens County.
Dozens of concerned residents from Enoree, Woodruff, Lanford, and nearby communities gathered to voice their concerns—and their determination. With passionate, respectful dialogue, speakers emphasized the economic, emergency, and social disruptions caused by the loss of the bridge that once connected the Enoree and Woodruff communities.
Senator Danny Verdin underscored the historical and economic importance of the route, noting that “the Enoree-Woodruff communities have been connected for over a century,” and highlighting Woodruff’s growing role as the commercial hub of the region.
Berry Maddox, SCDOT Transportation Engineer, provided an in-depth presentation on the condition of the bridge, which was originally built in 1971 and demolished in January 2025 after extensive structural damage rendered it unsafe. Initial issues involved a severely bent column, but during attempted repairs, further damage to other supports and beams was discovered. Erosion and structural compromise, worsened by Hurricane Helene, made full replacement unavoidable.
Though the nearby U.S.-221 Bridge is set to reopen on July 17, 2025, residents emphasized that it cannot replace the vital connection once provided by the Beaverdam/Kilgore bridge. Several speakers at the meeting stressed that emergency response times have increased and that residents are now cut off from the economic growth blooming in Woodruff.
The South Carolina Transportation Infrastructure Bank (SCTIB), which has a dedicated $250 million fund for rural projects, was an interesting topic during the meeting. With less than $50 million reportedly used so far and the grant application window open until June 13, attendees strongly urged Laurens County officials to apply on behalf of this urgent need.
The purpose of the SCTIB—established by the South Carolina Transportation Infrastructure Bank Act of 1997—is to finance “major qualified projects” essential for economic development and public benefit. Residents made clear that replacing the Beaverdam Church/Kilgore Bridge fits that mission.
The public meeting, hosted by SCDOT, was held from 5 to 7 p.m. and attended by 73 individuals in person and 42 individuals virtually representing a broad cross-section of the community, including clergy, first responders, local business owners, and residents. The Woodruff Times broadcast the event live on Facebook, where the video received 6.6K views, 24 reactions, and 26 comments in just 15 hours.
Public comments remain open through June 11, 2025, and community members are encouraged to share their feedback with SCDOT to amplify the call for action at https:/scdotgis.online/S112andS116Bridge.
To view the full meeting and hear next steps visit The Woodruff Times Facebook page.
Author: Tracy Sanders
