Gelegotis bridge over Stono River is dedicated

Splashes of holy water and a few solemn prayers set the tone Monday for the dedication of the second Stono River bridge to open on Johns Island within the past year. Politicians, family members and friends gathered to dedicate the river's newest span to the memory of Paul J. Gelegotis, a James Island politician and businessman. The ceremony preempted the completion of the entire $41.5 million bridge, which has been under construction since April 2001. Two of the bridge's four lanes opened in November and state transportation officials said Monday the remaining lanes will open in June, roughly six months behind schedule. The bridge connects Maybank Highway over the Stono River from James Island to Johns Island. Gelegotis, who died Feb. 20, 2002, was the founder of the EMS system in Charleston County, a member of the General Assembly and the owner of the Piggly Wiggly grocery store on James Island. The hour-long ceremony was marked by speeches from prominent officials who commended Gelegotis on his service to the community. "The Lord only knows how many lives have been saved by his foresight," said state Rep. John Graham Altman III in reference to Gelegotis' creation of the county's EMS system. The Gelegotis bridge joins the John F. Limehouse Bridge, which opened last June on Main Road, as the second new bridge to span the Stono River. Both bridges replaced old spans that swung open for maritime traffic. Each provides 65 feet of clearance to marine traffic, negating the need for boats and vehicles to stop for one another. Each also is built wide enough to hold four lanes of traffic, although the Limehouse will remain two lanes until traffic counts dictate adding the two additional lanes. Construction of the bridge hit several snags in 2002 after a crane fell on the uncompleted road and halted construction for three months. Remaining work includes drainage work, grading and striping the road. "In spite of some rocky moments, the contractor did a good job on this project," said Bob Harrell, a state highway commissioner. The bridge has a bicycle and pedestrian path and a new ramp over Penny's Creek. The ramp provides direct access to the marina and Headquarters Plantation. "He would feel a little unworthy if he were alive today," said Congressman Henry Brown, who knew Gelegotis since the 1950s. "It is fitting that his bridge will span two land masses that he helped to serve throughout his life."

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