When The Dust Settles.... Dr. Brenda Williams

The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) along with the Sumter Area Transportation Study (SUATS) are working cohesively to preserve the Manning Avenue Bridge despite its crumbling, decaying, and deteriorating conditions and the ominous threats of bodily harm and possibly death that it poses to the community of low to moderate-income residents of South Sumter, South Carolina.

The SCDOT and SUATS have created a dust storm of deception, public misinformation, and disinformation regarding the risks posed by the Manning Avenue Bridge as it relates to a great potential of significant loss of life and limb of the people who reside in South Sumter, South Carolina and to those persons who travel over this bridge.

While browsing through some articles online early this morning regarding the SCDOT and bridges in South Carolina, and connecting the dots that connect this agency with SUATS, I came upon a very interesting article, in the Post and Courier Newspaper, written originally in 2014 and reprinted in 2016, by a longtime, experienced journalist, Robert Behre. The article was entitled: "A bridge too far? S.C. tries to save its oldest crossings State hopes historic bridges can find new life on bike, pedestrian paths"

This article had confirmed my suspicions about the union between the SCDOT and SUATS as they relate to the fate of the Manning Avenue Bridge...a relationship that has existed for many years. These agencies, in my belief, never, ever had any intention of abolishing the aged, deteriorating Manning Avenue Bridge, and in their minds and long-term planning...the older the bridge...the better!!

By the way, SUATS was receiving $2.5M annually from the SCDOT and the Federal Highway Administration. That has gone on for years and years. It is very interesting to note that SUATS is now receiving $4M annually!

No wonder they are so cohesively woven and think on the same accord!

The SCDOT and SUATS must be held accountable for creating deceptions and illusions about their plans for the crumbling, decaying, and deteriorating Manning Avenue Bridge and for the people in South Sumter who live in close proximity to, bike, and walk over this aged, decrepit, hazardous structure.

Yours Sincerely,

Brenda C. Williams, MD

The Family Unit, Inc., a 501(c)(3), non-profit, charitable organization

2 Aubrey Circle, Sumter, South Carolina 29153

Federal ID#: 26-3342684