Traffic heavy after bridge mishap

Even before the worst of afternoon rush hour began today there were reports of wrecks and stalled traffic throughout the Lowcountry.

According to social media reports, the bridge at Wappoo Cut from West Ashley to James Island was stuck open after

a car hit the safety arms when they were lowered to stop traffic, said James Law, spokesman for the state Department of Transportation.

The bridge was held open while authorities waited for traffic safety engineers to come and inspect it, but the DOT then asked the Coast Guard to close the bridge to boat traffic and open it to vehicles, Law said. The arms that regulate vehicular traffic have electrical problems because of the mishap, Law said.

Traffic was backed up on Maybank Highway as well as Folly Road.

Charleston police Cpl. Fred Bowie said the bridge was reopened to traffic.

The James Island connector was also congested as motorists sought alternative routes on and off of James Island.

In West Ashley, a wreck that took place shortly after 4 p.m. at Ashley Towne Center Road and Savannah Highway had traffic crawling on U.S. Highway 17 southbound.