J.E. McTeer Bridge reopens Sunday after brief closure due to possible ice on the road
Following this weekend’s rain and cold weather, the J.E. McTeer Bridge heading into Port Royal was closed for 30 minutes Sunday morning before reopening, according to a Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office alert.
The bridge, which connects Port Royal and Lady’s Island, was closed in both directions due to possible ice on the road, the alert said. It opened again just before 9 a.m. Sunday.
A statement released Sunday morning by the National Weather Service in Charleston said that inland Jasper County and coastal Beaufort County could expect slick roads and patchy, dense and freezing fog through mid-morning. Visibility can change abruptly and roadways can be slick in some areas.
Friday’s rainfall was projected by the National Weather Service to cause trouble for drivers in Beaufort County as temperatures dropped, according to previous reporting by the Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette. The weather service warned in a Friday briefing that even small amounts of ice could prove treacherous for drivers. Cold temperatures Saturday night could refreeze water on roads, the weather service said in the briefing.
The high Sunday morning is 53 degrees and temperatures could drop to as low as 34 at night. Monday morning, it is expected to be sunny with a high of 56 degrees and a low of 41 at night.
Drivers across the state have been warned to stay off the road, if possible, by the South Carolina Department of Transportation. If driving cannot be avoided, SCDOT suggests going slow and keeping at least three seconds following distance between you and the car in front of you. If your car begins to skid, keep your foot off the accelerator and gently pump your brakes. If you have anti-lock brakes, keep your foot down on the brakes.
This story has been updated.
This story was originally published January 23, 2022 at 8:56 AM.
