Why is the Don Holt Bridge closed in both directions? Police explain what’s going on

A major Lowcountry traffic artery was brought to a standstill early Thursday after authorities shut down the Don Holt Bridge. The closure, which began before dawn, quickly led to widespread delays across the Charleston area. As of mid-morning, drivers were still waiting for answers and relief, as per several reports by Live 5 News and Count On News2.

The Don Holt Bridge on I-526 was closed in both directions early Thursday after what police described as an “incident.” With limited details released, traffic quickly backed up across surrounding routes, causing commutes exceeding 90 minutes.

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Why was the Don Holt Bridge closed?

The North Charleston Police Department closed the Don Holt Bridge on I-526 in both directions shortly before 3:30 a.m. Thursday. Police said the shutdown was due to an “incident,” though no additional details were immediately released, as per a report by Count On News2.

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The South Carolina Department of Transportation separately reported there was an “obstruction in the roadway.” As of 8:30 a.m., the bridge remained closed, with no estimated time for reopening, reported Live5 News.

Where is traffic being blocked?

According to police, eastbound traffic was stopped at Virginia Avenue, while westbound traffic was blocked at Clements Ferry Road. These closures created significant backups along key commuter routes used by drivers heading into Charleston during the morning rush, reported ABC4 News.

Police advised motorists to seek alternate routes and to stay clear of the area if possible to allow first responders to continue working at the scene.

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How bad are the traffic delays?

The prolonged closure triggered major congestion throughout the region. By 8:07 a.m., travel time from Mount Pleasant to West Ashley had stretched to 107 minutes. Drivers commuting from Summerville to downtown Charleston were facing delays of up to 99 minutes. Authorities urged drivers to avoid the area until further notice.


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Officials warned that delays could continue until the bridge reopens and encouraged patience from affected drivers.

FAQs

Is the Don Holt Bridge open now?
No, it remained closed in both directions as of mid-morning Thursday.

What caused the closure?
Police cited an “incident,” and SCDOT reported an “obstruction in the roadway.”