US Bridges

US 21 over S.C.L. Railroad

Fair

Chester County, South Carolina · 1.8MI S of York CO LN · Structure no. 000000000002309

Built
1956
69 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2025
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
265 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
6,200
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US 21 over S.C.L. Railroad is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying US 21 over S.C.L. Railroad in Chester County, South Carolina. It was built in 1956, so it is 69 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 6,200 vehicles a day, roughly 13% of them trucks, projected to reach 9,052 by 2043. The structure is 265 ft (80.8 m) long and 34 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesUS 21
CrossesS.C.L. Railroad
Location1.8MI S of York CO LN
RouteU.S. Route 21
CountyChester County
StateSouth Carolina
Coordinates34.80059, -80.92368
Functional classRural Major Collector

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.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionFebruary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating55.7 US tons
Inventory rating42.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans5
Design loadH 15
Structure length265 ft (80.8 m)
Longest span53 ft (16.2 m)
Deck width34 ft (10.4 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic6,200 (2023)
Projected traffic9,052 by 2043
Trucks13%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesOther
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$1.5 million (2024 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was US 21 over S.C.L. Railroad built?

It was built in 1956, making it 69 years old in 2025.

What condition is US 21 over S.C.L. Railroad 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 February 2025.

How much traffic does US 21 over S.C.L. Railroad carry?

About 6,200 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 13% are trucks.

How long is US 21 over S.C.L. Railroad?

The structure is 265 ft (80.8 m) long with a longest span of 53 ft (16.2 m) and a deck 34 ft wide.

Who owns US 21 over S.C.L. Railroad?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.