Letter to the editor: Officials must clear the way for replacement of Manning Avenue Bridge

The State Historic Preservation Office, the Federal Highway Administration and the National Registry of Historic Places have established deterrents in the process of replacing the deteriorating, dilapidated Manning Avenue Bridge, despite its deplorable condition of the bridge.

Valuable time is being wasted due to formalities surrounding the SCDOT paying "homage" to the design of the Manning Avenue Bridge, built back in 1940.

The crumbling, dilapidated state of the Manning Avenue Bridge makes its replacement of dire urgency.

It is well-understood that there are detailed procedures that must be undertaken in order to tear down and replace roads and especially bridges such as the Manning Avenue Bridge.

Time is of the essence.

The SCDOT officials, along with the Sumter Area Transportation Study officials, must remove the unnecessary maneuvers and procedures that stand in the way of replacing the Manning Avenue Bridge and get busy with substantial works to bring into fruition the safe, secure and sustainable replacement of the Manning Avenue Bridge.

Brenda C. Williams, M.D.

The Family Unit Inc., a 501(c)(3), non-profit, charitable organization

Sumter