A majestic structure and

a ready-made landmark

The two new towers lure the eye, jutting up amid the flat Lowcountry landscape. The elongated diamonds of the towers seem to change shape based on the viewer’s perspective, like a sculpture being examined from different angles. From downtown, the triangles formed by tower and cable evoke sailboats — and as its architect envisioned, that’s a perfect fit for Charleston.

South Carolina has welcomed a structure that comes ready-made as a state landmark. Judging by the warm public reception for the new Cooper River bridge, folks are pleased with the beautiful addition to South Carolina’s vistas.

... In Charleston, the new bridge already has joined the city’s iconography, turning up on everything from paintings to company logos. ...

It’s more than a work of art, of course: It’s a working part of the state’s transportation structure. It is the largest of its type — a cable-stayed span bridge — in North America. ...

With its elegant and efficient design, it shows that handling community growth does not require the construction of the ugly and cheap; South Carolina can build something wonderful, if that is the goal it sets from the start. Congratulations to all involved in bringing this majestic addition to the Lowcountry.

The (Columbia) State