US Bridges

S-20-48 over Mills Creek

FairPosted for load

Fairfield County, South Carolina · 10MI SW Winnsboro · Structure no. 000000000003266

Built
1960
65 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2024
Type
Channel Beam
Prestressed Concrete
Length
60 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
175
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

S-20-48 over Mills Creek is a prestressed concrete channel beam carrying S-20-48 over Mills Creek in Fairfield County, South Carolina. It was built in 1960, so it is 65 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 175 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 256 by 2024. The structure is 60 ft (18.3 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesS-20-48
CrossesMills Creek
Location10MI SW Winnsboro
RouteState Highway 48
CountyFairfield County
StateSouth Carolina
Coordinates34.31944, -81.24444
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionDecember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
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 adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating39.2 US tons
Inventory rating16.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans2
Design loadH 10
Structure length60 ft (18.3 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.1 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.5 m)
Roadway width26 ft (8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic175 (2023)
Projected traffic256 by 2024
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was S-20-48 over Mills Creek built?

It was built in 1960, making it 65 years old in 2025.

What condition is S-20-48 over Mills 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 December 2024.

How much traffic does S-20-48 over Mills Creek carry?

About 175 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is S-20-48 over Mills Creek?

The structure is 60 ft (18.3 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns S-20-48 over Mills Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.