US Bridges

US 601 over Lemon Creek

Fair

Bamberg County, South Carolina · 3MI S of Bamberg · Structure no. 000000000001996

Built
1954
71 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
120 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
3,200
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US 601 over Lemon Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying US 601 over Lemon Creek in Bamberg County, South Carolina. It was built in 1954, so it is 71 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 6 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 3,200 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 5,088 by 2043. The structure is 120 ft (36.6 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesUS 601
CrossesLemon Creek
Location3MI S of Bamberg
RouteU.S. Route 601
CountyBamberg County
StateSouth Carolina
Coordinates33.2679, -81.04349
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionApril 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating37.5 US tons
Inventory rating28.9 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 width28 ft (8.4 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,200 (2023)
Projected traffic5,088 by 2043
Trucks8%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
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 proposedWidening with deck rehabilitation or replacement
Estimated improvement cost$368,000 (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was US 601 over Lemon Creek built?

It was built in 1954, making it 71 years old in 2025.

What condition is US 601 over Lemon 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 April 2024.

How much traffic does US 601 over Lemon Creek carry?

About 3,200 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is US 601 over Lemon Creek?

The structure is 120 ft (36.6 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns US 601 over Lemon Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.