Manning Avenue Bridge’s Condition Or Status In View Of Recent Earthquakes

Re: Re-inspection of Manning Avenue Bridge in View of Recent Earthquakes In and Near Sumter, South Carolina

Dear Mr. Martin:

The South Carolina Geological Society has reported evidence of an increase in earthquakes in this state this year. Most of these seismic activities have occurred in the Elgin, South Carolina area, which is approximately 31 miles from Sumter, South Carolina.

There has been documented earthquake activity in Sumter, South Carolina this year also.

In view of the fact that the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) has determined that the Manning Avenue Bridge, located here in Sumter, South Carolina is structurally deficient and functionally deficient, it is of the utmost importance that the SCDOT perform, immediately, a comprehensive and detailed inspection of this aforementioned bridge for an updated condition and status report.

The photo shown in this email correspondence was taken by me today at the Manning Avenue Bridge site. The unevenness and asymmetrical concrete structures that are part of the bridge are at most very worrisome. Noted before, by me, but not to this extent.

The SCDOT plans to replace the Manning Avenue Bridge are in the distant future...projecting a completion date well into the 2027 or 2028 time period. That eighty-two (82) year old bridge already has significant deficiencies.

An urgent assessment and scrutiny of the Manning Avenue Bridge must be conducted immediately in order to determine whether or not there is an impending failure of the said bridge.

The community of low to moderate-income residents of the South Sumter Community are at high risk of injury and death considering the fact that the bridge is located in this region of the City of Sumter and Sumter County.

The CSX Railroad is located immediately below the Manning Avenue Bridge. Freight trains on the railroad tracks frequently transport hazardous materials.

The CSX Railroad has done a substantial amount of rebuilding as well as replacing old, deteriorating railroad tracks and structural materials over the past year. A failure of the Manning Avenue Bridge would cause devastation of great proportion to the community in close proximity to the bridge and also cause immense impact on the CSX Railroad System which is a vital part of the City of Sumter and Sumter County, South Carolina.

Your immediate attention and response to this email correspondence would be greatly appreciated.

Yours Sincerely, Brenda C. Williams, MD, The Family Unit, Inc., a 501(c)(3), non-profit, charitable organization