US Bridges

Sc 86 over Saluda River

Fair

Anderson County, South Carolina · Town of Piedmont · Structure no. 000000000001420

Built
1948
77 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
315 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
11,900
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Sc 86 over Saluda River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Sc 86 over Saluda River in Anderson County, South Carolina. It was built in 1948, so it is 77 years old, older than the South Carolina average of 48 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 5 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

It carries about 11,900 vehicles a day, roughly 9% of them trucks, projected to reach 15,113 by 2043. The structure is 315 ft (96 m) long and 52 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 11.8 mi (19 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSc 86
CrossesSaluda River
LocationTown of Piedmont
RouteState Highway 86
CountyAnderson County
StateSouth Carolina
Coordinates34.70401, -82.46303
Functional classUrban Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionDecember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating46.4 US tons
Inventory rating27.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans5
Design loadHS 15
Structure length315 ft (96 m)
Longest span63 ft (19.2 m)
Deck width52 ft (16 m)
Roadway width40 ft (12.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deck100 ft (30.5 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic11,900 (2023)
Projected traffic15,113 by 2043
Trucks9%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed11.8 mi (19 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$2 million (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Sc 86 over Saluda River built?

It was built in 1948, making it 77 years old in 2025.

What condition is Sc 86 over Saluda River in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in fair condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. The last reported inspection was in December 2023.

How much traffic does Sc 86 over Saluda River carry?

About 11,900 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 9% are trucks.

How long is Sc 86 over Saluda River?

The structure is 315 ft (96 m) long with a longest span of 63 ft (19.2 m) and a deck 52 ft wide.

Who owns Sc 86 over Saluda River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.