US Bridges

US 521 over Swift Creek

Fair

Kershaw County, South Carolina · 8 MI S of Camden · Structure no. 000000000003342

Built
1960
65 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
150 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
8,500
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US 521 over Swift Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying US 521 over Swift Creek in Kershaw 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 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 8,500 vehicles a day, roughly 11% of them trucks, projected to reach 14,790 by 2043. The structure is 150 ft (45.7 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesUS 521
CrossesSwift Creek
Location8 MI S of Camden
RouteU.S. Route 521
CountyKershaw County
StateSouth Carolina
Coordinates34.1432, -80.55955
Functional classRural Principal Arterial - Other

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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionFebruary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating61.4 US tons
Inventory rating44.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans5
Design loadHS 20
Structure length150 ft (45.7 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.1 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.2 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic8,500 (2023)
Projected traffic14,790 by 2043
Trucks11%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
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 proposedWidening with deck rehabilitation or replacement
Estimated improvement cost$551,000 (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was US 521 over Swift Creek built?

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

What condition is US 521 over Swift 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 February 2024.

How much traffic does US 521 over Swift Creek carry?

About 8,500 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 11% are trucks.

How long is US 521 over Swift Creek?

The structure is 150 ft (45.7 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns US 521 over Swift Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.