US Bridges

I-526 over Cooper River

Fair

Berkeley County, South Carolina · In N. Charleston · Structure no. 000000000008516

Built
1992
33 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2024
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel Continuous
Length
16,450 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
76,300
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

I-526 over Cooper River is a steel continuous truss - thru carrying I-526 over Cooper River in Berkeley County, South Carolina. It was built in 1992, so it is 33 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 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 76,300 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 106,057 by 2043. The structure is 16,450 ft (5,014 m) long and 93 ft wide.

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesI-526
CrossesCooper River
LocationIn N. Charleston
RouteInterstate 526
CountyBerkeley County
StateSouth Carolina
Coordinates32.89006, -79.95562
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionJanuary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Deck geometry8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating12.1 US tons
Inventory rating7.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3 (+135 approach)
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length16,450 ft (5,014 m)
Longest span800 ft (243.9 m)
Deck width93 ft (28.4 m)
Roadway width88 ft (26.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deck17 ft (5.2 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic76,300 (2023)
Projected traffic106,057 by 2043
Trucks8%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesHighway and waterway
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 statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$108 million (2024 estimate)
NavigationNavigation control on waterway (bridge permit required)

Frequently asked questions

When was I-526 over Cooper River built?

It was built in 1992, making it 33 years old in 2025.

What condition is I-526 over Cooper 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 January 2024.

How much traffic does I-526 over Cooper River carry?

About 76,300 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is I-526 over Cooper River?

The structure is 16,450 ft (5,014 m) long with a longest span of 800 ft (243.9 m) and a deck 93 ft wide.

Who owns I-526 over Cooper River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.