Rep. Gilliard proposes bridge safety committee creation after Baltimore bridge collapse

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — State Rep. Wendell Gilliard (D-Charleston) filed a resolution Thursday to create a committee on bridge safety, attempting to ensure events like the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore don't happen in South Carolina.

Gilliard's resolution would empower the Shipping Transportation and Port Bridge Safety Study Committee to examine current state and federal safety standards and measures regarding the navigation of large vessels under bridges while entering or leaving harbors, ports and canals in South Carolina. The committee would then provide a report with findings and recommendations for the South Carolina General Assembly.

"After the Baltimore, Maryland port incident, I want more accountability in the state of South Carolina to prevent an incident from happening here," Gilliard wrote in a statement. "Reassurance from experts is good. We also heard from the engineers that built the Titanic that it would not sink."

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The committee would also provide details on which bridge support piers or support structures can withstand impacts from large vessels and collision aversion measures bridge support structures have.

In the resolution, Gillard proposes a committee of nine members: two members of the Senate, one of whom is from a district with a major port; two members from the House of Representatives, one from a district with a major port; two civil engineers, the president and chief executive officer of the South Carolina Ports Authority or a designee; the state secretary of transportation, or a designee; and the director of the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, or a designee.

The committee would be expected to report its findings and recommendations before Jan. 1, 2026.

READ MORE: "Ravenel Bridge's safety assured by engineers after Baltimore bridge collapse."