US Bridges

I-526 EB over Tidal Creek

Fair

Berkeley County, South Carolina · Near Charleston · Structure no. 000000000008061

Built
1987
38 years old, rebuilt 1998
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
750 ft
25 main spans
Daily traffic
33,450
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

I-526 EB over Tidal Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying I-526 EB over Tidal Creek in Berkeley County, South Carolina. It was built in 1987 and reconstructed in 1998, so it is 38 years old, younger 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 33,450 vehicles a day, roughly 12% of them trucks, projected to reach 46,496 by 2043. The structure is 750 ft (228.6 m) long and 64 ft wide.

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesI-526 EB
CrossesTidal Creek
LocationNear Charleston
RouteInterstate 526
CountyBerkeley County
StateSouth Carolina
Coordinates32.86976, -79.9142
Functional classUrban Principal Arterial - Interstate

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.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
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 geometry9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating59.3 US tons
Inventory rating45.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans25
Design loadHS 20
Structure length750 ft (228.6 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.1 m)
Deck width64 ft (19.5 m)
Roadway width61 ft (18.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic33,450 (2023)
Projected traffic46,496 by 2043
Trucks12%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed—
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes
Strategic Highway NetworkInterstate STRAHNET route

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was I-526 EB over Tidal Creek built?

It was built in 1987, making it 38 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1998.

What condition is I-526 EB over Tidal 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does I-526 EB over Tidal Creek carry?

About 33,450 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 12% are trucks.

How long is I-526 EB over Tidal Creek?

The structure is 750 ft (228.6 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a deck 64 ft wide.

Who owns I-526 EB over Tidal Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.