US Bridges

US 21 over Edisto River

Fair

Bamberg County, South Carolina · .2 MI NW US 21 & Sc 61 · Structure no. 000000000000004

Built
1927
98 years old, rebuilt 1955
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
707 ft
24 main spans
Daily traffic
1,400
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US 21 over Edisto River is a concrete tee beam carrying US 21 over Edisto River in Bamberg County, South Carolina. It was built in 1927 and reconstructed in 1955, so it is 98 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 1,400 vehicles a day, roughly 19% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,226 by 2043. The structure is 707 ft (215.5 m) long and 33 ft wide.

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesUS 21
CrossesEdisto River
Location.2 MI NW US 21 & Sc 61
RouteU.S. Route 21
CountyBamberg County
StateSouth Carolina
Coordinates33.17753, -80.80236
Functional classRural 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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionAugust 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 geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating39.7 US tons
Inventory rating30.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans24
Design loadHS 15
Structure length707 ft (215.5 m)
Longest span50 ft (15.2 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.2 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,400 (2023)
Projected traffic2,226 by 2043
Trucks19%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed—
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$3,000 (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was US 21 over Edisto River built?

It was built in 1927, making it 98 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1955.

What condition is US 21 over Edisto 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does US 21 over Edisto River carry?

About 1,400 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 19% are trucks.

How long is US 21 over Edisto River?

The structure is 707 ft (215.5 m) long with a longest span of 50 ft (15.2 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns US 21 over Edisto River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.