U.S. Route 52 Spur (Charleston, South Carolina)

Infobox U.S. Route
article_route=52
type=Spur


length_mi=2.98
length_round=2
length_ref=South Carolina Department of Transportation Highway Logmile Listing for Charleston County dated November 1, 2006]
yrcom=1950
direction_a=West
from=
junction=
direction_b=East
to=Broad Street
browse=
spur_of=52

U.S. Route 52 Spur is an unsigned 2.98-mile long spur of U.S. Route 52 in Charleston, South Carolina. It extends from U.S. Route 52 (where it is named Meeting Street) to Broad Street along the northeastern side of the peninsula of downtown Charleston. The route provides access for trucks to shipping terminals of the port on the Charleston peninsula: Union Pier and Columbus Street.

History

1.29 miles of the route is named Morrison Drive and the remaining 1.69 miles is named East Bay Street.South Carolina Department of Transportation Highway Logmile Listing for Charleston County dated November 1, 2006]

The section named Morrison Drive was constructed in the early 1950's. [South Carolina State Highway Department Docket No. 10.348 dated July 17, 1950] It was named for William McG. Morrison, mayor of Charleston from 1953 to 1954. [ [http://politicalgraveyard.com/geo/SC/ofc/charleston.html Political Graveyard] List of Charleston mayors, accessed April 12, 2007]

The eastern terminus is near the historic wharves of Charleston, including Adgers Wharf, which is now the site of a playground. It is also adjacent to the old Exchange, or Customs House, of Charleston. The current Customs House that was built around the time of the Civil War is on this route.

When Morrison Drive was constructed, there was still one private terminal operating near the Eastern terminus, the Clydeline Steamship Company. The Clydeline terminal burned down in 1955. In the late 80s, the land of the terminal was rebuilt as Charleston Waterfront Park. [ [http://www.tbrpc.org/waterfront/charles.htm Charleston Waterfront Park: A Success Story] , Accessed April 17, 2007]

Miscellanea

One section of the route, Morrison Drive near Jackson Street, will flood regularly during a spring tide.

References