CHARLESTON, S.C. - The man in charge of
overseeing construction of the new Cooper River bridge was awarded
the Order of Palmetto after the $632 million project was on budget
and completed a year ahead of schedule.
Bobby Clair Jr. was engineer and director of special projects at
the state Department of Transportation. He left that position in
August to take a position at a private firm. He had worked for the
state for 37 years.
"I never imaged I would have the opportunity to be involved with
a project like the bridge, never mind being in charge of it," Clair
said. "The award was a surprise ... an honor."
The eight-lane Ravenel Bridge, the longest cable-stayed bridge in
North America, opened in July.
Clair recently started his new job in Charleston as vice
president for the architectural firm HDR Inc.
He was nominated for the governor-awarded honor by several
lawmakers including state Sens. Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, and
Chip Campsen, R-Isle of Palms.
