Question: When the Charleston bridge is raised, there often appears to be no boat crossing under. Is it opened periodically for drill?
Answer: The bridge opens frequently for a lot of reasons.
In 2008, the bridge was opened a total of 919 times, said drawbridge supervisor Kimberly Vester.
Vester said the bridge opens for transportation department inspections, training purposes and for general passage of vessels.
The bridge also opens at times for emergencies, such as a recent boat fire on Sept. 8, she said. Had the burning boat got close enough to the bridge, it would have been opened to avoid damage.
“It’s sporadic,” Vester said. “If it questionable, we will open it.”