US Bridges

US 521 over Hanging Rock Creek

Fair

Lancaster County, South Carolina · 2.0 Mi-S-Kershaw · Structure no. 000000000001961

Built
1953
72 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
128 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
4,100
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US 521 over Hanging Rock Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying US 521 over Hanging Rock Creek in Lancaster County, South Carolina. It was built in 1953, so it is 72 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 4,100 vehicles a day, roughly 21% of them trucks, projected to reach 7,134 by 2043. The structure is 128 ft (39 m) long and 27 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesUS 521
CrossesHanging Rock Creek
Location2.0 Mi-S-Kershaw
RouteU.S. Route 521
CountyLancaster County
StateSouth Carolina
Coordinates34.52229, -80.58979
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
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 inspectionAugust 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating31.1 US tons
Inventory rating18.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadHS 15
Structure length128 ft (39 m)
Longest span32 ft (9.8 m)
Deck width27 ft (8.3 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic4,100 (2023)
Projected traffic7,134 by 2043
Trucks21%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

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$786,000 (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was US 521 over Hanging Rock Creek built?

It was built in 1953, making it 72 years old in 2025.

What condition is US 521 over Hanging Rock 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 August 2024.

How much traffic does US 521 over Hanging Rock Creek carry?

About 4,100 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 21% are trucks.

How long is US 521 over Hanging Rock Creek?

The structure is 128 ft (39 m) long with a longest span of 32 ft (9.8 m) and a deck 27 ft wide.

Who owns US 521 over Hanging Rock Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.