US Bridges

I-26 over RR CSXT

Poor

Charleston County, South Carolina · N Charleston · Structure no. 000000000004050

Built
1963
62 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected October 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
828 ft
14 main spans
Daily traffic
94,100
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

I-26 over RR CSXT is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying I-26 over RR CSXT in Charleston County, South Carolina. It was built in 1963, so it is 62 years old, older than the South Carolina average of 48 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 94,100 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 130,799 by 2043. The structure is 828 ft (252.4 m) long and 94 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesI-26
CrossesRR CSXT
LocationN Charleston
RouteInterstate 26
CountyCharleston County
StateSouth Carolina
Coordinates32.86501, -79.99817
Functional classUrban Principal Arterial - Interstate

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating51 US tons
Inventory rating30.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans14
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length828 ft (252.4 m)
Longest span110 ft (33.5 m)
Deck width94 ft (28.7 m)
Roadway width88 ft (26.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic94,100 (2023)
Projected traffic130,799 by 2043
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure6
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$5.5 million (2024 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was I-26 over RR CSXT built?

It was built in 1963, making it 62 years old in 2025.

What condition is I-26 over RR CSXT in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in October 2024.

How much traffic does I-26 over RR CSXT carry?

About 94,100 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is I-26 over RR CSXT?

The structure is 828 ft (252.4 m) long with a longest span of 110 ft (33.5 m) and a deck 94 ft wide.

Who owns I-26 over RR CSXT?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.