In its first decade, the Ravenel Bridge has connected the Lowcountry during ... - Charleston Post Courier
A lot of news happens under the diamond-shaped towers of the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge. Outside the usual Bridge Runs and C-17 flyovers, some incidents have become notorious for their gridlock-causing angst. Others brought the community heartbreak, but some brought joy. The first decade of Charleston being home to one of the world's largest cable-stayed bridges has had many attention-getting moments:. July 9-15, 2005: The first week of the new span starts with a big bang. Zambelli Fireworks Internationale fills 20,000 pounds of explosives with 60,000 fireworks for a $250,000 show to celebrate the new bridge. The fireworks are launched from four barges in the Charleston Harbor and at points along a 3,000-foot stretch of roadway on the bridge. Joggers and walkers make their first of many treks across the span as nearly 150,000 people show up for pedestrians-only events. July 16, 2005: The new span across the Cooper River opens. 20, 2005: A Mount Pleasant police officer responding to a vehicle crash on the bridge is injured when an SUV rear-ends his cruiser. Source: www.postandcourier.com
