US Bridges

I-526 EB over Wando Riv & Local Roads

Fair

Charleston County, South Carolina · 6 MI NE of Charleston · Structure no. 000000000008235

Built
1989
36 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2024
Type
Segmental Box Girder
Prestressed Concrete Continuous
Length
7,900 ft
49 main spans
Daily traffic
35,900
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

I-526 EB over Wando Riv & Local Roads is a prestressed concrete continuous segmental box girder carrying I-526 EB over Wando Riv & Local Roads in Charleston County, South Carolina. It was built in 1989, so it is 36 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 35,900 vehicles a day, roughly 12% of them trucks, projected to reach 49,901 by 2043. The structure is 7,900 ft (2,407.9 m) long and 47 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

CarriesI-526 EB
CrossesWando Riv & Local Roads
Location6 MI NE of Charleston
RouteInterstate 526
Coordinates32.85798, -79.89332
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionMay 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating43.5 US tons
Inventory rating23.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSegmental Box Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans49
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length7,900 ft (2,407.9 m)
Longest span400 ft (121.9 m)
Deck width47 ft (14.4 m)
Roadway width44 ft (13.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic35,900 (2023)
Projected traffic49,901 by 2043
Trucks12%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesHighway and waterway
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$51.9 million (2024 estimate)
NavigationNavigation control on waterway (bridge permit required)

Frequently asked questions

When was I-526 EB over Wando Riv & Local Roads built?

It was built in 1989, making it 36 years old in 2025.

What condition is I-526 EB over Wando Riv & Local Roads 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 May 2024.

How much traffic does I-526 EB over Wando Riv & Local Roads carry?

About 35,900 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 12% are trucks.

How long is I-526 EB over Wando Riv & Local Roads?

The structure is 7,900 ft (2,407.9 m) long with a longest span of 400 ft (121.9 m) and a deck 47 ft wide.

Who owns I-526 EB over Wando Riv & Local Roads?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.