Gov. McMaster issues order to expedite I-20 overpass bridge replacement in Aiken County

AIKEN, S.C. (WJBF) – South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster issued an executive order to expedite the replacement of the Old Vaucluse Road I-20 overpass bridge in Aiken County on Tuesday.

The bridge was destroyed in a tanker truck collision and fire on Saturday, June 14. The crash shut down the interstate between Exit 11 and Exit 18, but was reopened hours later on Sunday.

According to the Office of the Governor, the order declares that the incident constitutes an emergency under federal guidelines and enables the state to pursue expedited assistance and reconstruction efforts.

The order allows the South Carolina Department of transportation “to undertake any actions necessary to provide for the immediate replacement of the bridge.”

SCDOT is also able to apply for federal emergency relief funding through the Federal Highway Administration for the project.