The Trouble With Edgefield’s Trestle

Edgefield, SC—It’s not the first time a truck has smashed into the old Edgefield trestle, but according to police, it was the first time someone died because of it.

Wes Walton, Edgefield, SC: “And it turned over, and collapsed on a car, and there was a fatality.”

A tractor-trailer hauling a container hit the bridge, Monday morning…the load broke loose, and crushed a nearby driver, 27-year-old Jeremy Jay.

But, not everyone in town blames the 100-year-old former railroad bridge for the problem.

Scott Stephenson, Edgefield, SC: “If the truck drivers would pay more attention to what they’re doing…“

Chief Ronnie Carter, Edgefield Police Department: “They’re listening to their GPS, which tells them, a lot of times, to come down Highway 25, so I guess they just don’t pay attention to the signs.“

Chief Ronnie Carter says they get calls several times each month, from drivers who missed or ignored the signs that tell them to detour around town, and ended up stuck here…backing up traffic while trying to turn around.

Cissy Penner, Edgefield, SC: “I’ve lived here all my life…it’s happened!“

This July, a truck struck the trestle and flipped over…last year, another driver missed the sign.

City leaders say they’ve been concerned about the problem for a while, despite adding extra signs in the past…now they’re talking about changing the bridge itself.

They’re looking at the possibility of lowering the road, or raising the bridge…

Chief Carter: “It is an issue of money, as far as what to do with it, as far as raising it, or lowering the road, I’m not sure which one would be more feasible.”

Some say get rid of the lower beams that aren’t needed to support trains anymore…others suggest tearing it down altogether.

Penner: “Oh no, you can’t get rid of the bridge. No! That’s not an option.“

...That’s something that’s not sitting well with people who walk the scenic path over the bridge, known as the “rail trail.“

Walton: “It’s a historic thing, you know, with the trail rail right there.“

Most people we talked with said leave bridge up, and come down on the truckers.

Stephenson: “They should pay more attention when they’re coming through town. Because it’s clearly marked that there’s a bridge right there.“

Walton: “I still feel like it’s their duty to be more cautious and understand it’s their duty to look and see whether or not they can get underneath the underpass.“

Chief Carter says truck drivers do get fined if they get to the trestle and cause traffic delays. Those can run $125 to $1,000.

Thanks to EdgefieldDaily.com and ‘The Citizen News’ for their help on this story.