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COLUMBIA -- The U.S. Transportation Secretary says no detailed, cost-benefit study is needed for a proposed bridge over Lake Marion between Calhoun and Clarendon counties, U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn says.

Clyburn's office Tuesday released a letter from Transportation Secretary Norm Mineta backing Clyburn's contention there is no need for the additional study.

"I feel very good about it. It's what I've maintained all along," said Clyburn, a Columbia Democrat who represents the 6th District.

The project might have been delayed or scrapped if Mineta had ruled differently.

Clyburn has said he intends to get nearly all the $83 million for the road and bridge from the federal government.

Some critics wrote Mineta in March, raising concerns about the spending and asking for a cost-benefit study.

Republicans Gov. Mark Sanford and U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, who represents the 2nd District, are among critics and say they still have concerns.

"Given the finite financial resources we have in South Carolina, it is imperative that we always look at cost-benefit analyses," Sanford said, adding he was disappointed in Mineta's letter.

Wilson, who in March was criticized by Clyburn for allegedly interfering with Clyburn's projects, said, "This is not personal."

Clyburn said his nine-mile road and bridge project, which would serve the mostly minority communities of Lone Star in Calhoun County and Rimini in Clarendon County, is receiving far more review than similar projects serving white communities.

It would also make for an easier connection between Sumter and Orangeburg, the region's two largest cities.

"During review of highway projects under the national Environmental Policy Act, a cost-benefit analysis is neither required nor generally conducted," Mineta wrote.

He wrote that an environmental study has already examined the project's estimated cost and potential positive and negative effects.

"This information is available to decision makers," Mineta wrote.

Environmentalists have criticized the project, saying the low-lying upper Lake Marion, with its networks of rivers, swamps and forests, is one of the state's most pristine regions.

Clyburn contends the bridge would improve living standards in the low-income communities by spurring development.

Wilson said he will introduce a bill in Congress to require cost-benefit analyses and priority rankings of road projects within states.

Clyburn said federal money he is getting will go to other states if the project is dropped.

"What our leaders in this state seem to be saying is they'd much rather see this money be spent in other states than to be spent in Jim Clyburn's congressional district," Clyburn said.

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