US Bridges

US 278 & Sc 125 over Sou. Railroad

PoorClosed to traffic

Aiken County, South Carolina · 5 MI SE of N Augusta · Structure no. 000000000001774

Built
1951
74 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected January 2025
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
190 ft
6 main spans
Daily traffic
8,100
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US 278 & Sc 125 over Sou. Railroad is a concrete tee beam carrying US 278 & Sc 125 over Sou. Railroad in Aiken County, South Carolina. It was built in 1951, so it is 74 years old, older than the South Carolina average of 48 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. Its operating status is: closed to all traffic.

It carries about 8,100 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 8,343 by 2043. The structure is 190 ft (57.9 m) long and 59 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesUS 278 & Sc 125
CrossesSou. Railroad
Location5 MI SE of N Augusta
RouteU.S. Route 278
CountyAiken County
StateSouth Carolina
Coordinates33.48053, -81.9101
Functional classUrban Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionJanuary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusClosed to all traffic
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating51.5 US tons
Inventory rating31.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans6
Design loadHS 20
Structure length190 ft (57.9 m)
Longest span40 ft (12.2 m)
Deck width59 ft (18.1 m)
Roadway width58 ft (17.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic8,100 (2023)
Projected traffic8,343 by 2043
Trucks8%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$362,000 (2024 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was US 278 & Sc 125 over Sou. Railroad built?

It was built in 1951, making it 74 years old in 2025.

What condition is US 278 & Sc 125 over Sou. Railroad in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in January 2025.

How much traffic does US 278 & Sc 125 over Sou. Railroad carry?

About 8,100 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is US 278 & Sc 125 over Sou. Railroad?

The structure is 190 ft (57.9 m) long with a longest span of 40 ft (12.2 m) and a deck 59 ft wide.

Who owns US 278 & Sc 125 over Sou. Railroad?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.