SCE&G: Heavy rope fell on Ravenel Bridge, broke three light poles

CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) - SCE&G officials say a mechanical failure caused a heavy rope to fall into traffic on the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge on Wednesday morning. Three street light poles on the bridge were also broken by the rope.

According to company spokesperson Kim Asbill, crews were pulling a heavy rope across the bridge around 11:10 a.m. when the brake mechanism on the machine failed, causing the rope to fall. Earlier, Charleston police had said the closures were prompted by a downed power line.

Asbill said traffic was delayed for about 30 minutes while crews worked to remove the rope from the road.

Crews will remain on scene to repair the broken street light poles.

The incident prompted police to briefly close all lanes of traffic on the "Charleston side" of the bridge, which led to delays.

No one was injured in the incident.