US Bridges

Sc 18 over Thicketty Creek

Fair

Cherokee County, South Carolina · 8.0 MI S of Gaffney · Structure no. 000000000000627

Built
1933
92 years old, rebuilt 1969
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
318 ft
6 main spans
Daily traffic
2,300
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Sc 18 over Thicketty Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Sc 18 over Thicketty Creek in Cherokee County, South Carolina. It was built in 1933 and reconstructed in 1969, so it is 92 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 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 2,300 vehicles a day, roughly 9% of them trucks, projected to reach 3,657 by 2043. The structure is 318 ft (96.9 m) long and 40 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 14.9 mi (24 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSc 18
CrossesThicketty Creek
Location8.0 MI S of Gaffney
RouteState Highway 18
CountyCherokee County
StateSouth Carolina
Coordinates34.94999, -81.63096
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
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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionNovember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
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
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating24.3 US tons
Inventory rating14.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans6
Design loadH 15
Structure length318 ft (96.9 m)
Longest span53 ft (16.2 m)
Deck width40 ft (12.1 m)
Roadway width36 ft (11 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,300 (2023)
Projected traffic3,657 by 2043
Trucks9%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed14.9 mi (24 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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$460,000 (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Sc 18 over Thicketty Creek built?

It was built in 1933, making it 92 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1969.

What condition is Sc 18 over Thicketty 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 November 2023.

How much traffic does Sc 18 over Thicketty Creek carry?

About 2,300 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 9% are trucks.

How long is Sc 18 over Thicketty Creek?

The structure is 318 ft (96.9 m) long with a longest span of 53 ft (16.2 m) and a deck 40 ft wide.

Who owns Sc 18 over Thicketty Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.