The World's Top 18 Expensive Bridge Projects Exposed
1. Ravenel Jr., Arthur A. Bridge, United States
Location: Charleston, South Carolina
Founded: 2005
Price: $6 million
The Edgar Ravenel Jr. Bridge, named after a prominent South Carolina merchant, connects Mount Pleasant with Charleston. This impressive structure is notable for being the third-longest cable-stayed bridge in the Western Hemisphere.
Constructed using the design-build methodology, the bridge exemplifies an efficient approach to project delivery. By combining the roles of designer and builder into a single party, this strategy often leads to reduced costs and streamlined communication throughout the construction process.
Bridge Name: Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge
Creator and Constructor: Parsons Brinckerhoff
Location: USA
The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, created and constructed by Parsons Brinckerhoff, a significant competitor of Emcor and Bechtel, stands as an engineering marvel. This impressive bridge features eight twelve-foot lanes and spans 13,200 feet (approximately 2.5 miles), clearing the Cooper River by an impressive 186 feet. At its highest point, the bridge reaches a height of 575 feet.
Each year, the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge hosts the Cooper River Bridge Run, a 6.2-mile race sanctioned by USA Track & Field. This popular event takes place during the first weekend of April and has become a massive festival, attracting up to 50,000 participants and spectators. The race begins in Mount Pleasant and concludes at Charleston's Marion Square, celebrating community spirit and fitness.
