US Bridges

Sc 81 over Big Brushy Creek

Fair

Anderson County, South Carolina · 9.3MI NW of Williamston · Structure no. 000000000002115

Built
1955
70 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
120 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
7,600
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Sc 81 over Big Brushy Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Sc 81 over Big Brushy Creek in Anderson County, South Carolina. It was built in 1955, so it is 70 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 7,600 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 9,652 by 2043. The structure is 120 ft (36.6 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSc 81
CrossesBig Brushy Creek
Location9.3MI NW of Williamston
RouteState Highway 81
CountyAnderson County
StateSouth Carolina
Coordinates34.75499, -82.49944
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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 adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating40.3 US tons
Inventory rating31.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadHS 15
Structure length120 ft (36.6 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.1 m)
Deck width30 ft (9 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic7,600 (2023)
Projected traffic9,652 by 2043
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 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 proposedWidening with deck rehabilitation or replacement
Estimated improvement cost$455,000 (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Sc 81 over Big Brushy Creek built?

It was built in 1955, making it 70 years old in 2025.

What condition is Sc 81 over Big Brushy Creek 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 81 over Big Brushy Creek carry?

About 7,600 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is Sc 81 over Big Brushy Creek?

The structure is 120 ft (36.6 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns Sc 81 over Big Brushy Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.