US Bridges

US 21_BUS over S.C.L. Railroad

Fair

Orangeburg County, South Carolina · In City of Orangeburg · Structure no. 000000000000819

Built
1937
88 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
131 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
7,700
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US 21_BUS over S.C.L. Railroad is a concrete tee beam carrying US 21_BUS over S.C.L. Railroad in Orangeburg County, South Carolina. It was built in 1937, so it is 88 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 7,700 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 10,857 by 2043. The structure is 131 ft (39.8 m) long and 37 ft wide.

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesUS 21_BUS
CrossesS.C.L. Railroad
LocationIn City of Orangeburg
RouteU.S. Route 21
CountyOrangeburg County
StateSouth Carolina
Coordinates33.48561, -80.85409
Functional classUrban 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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating39.2 US tons
Inventory rating30.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length131 ft (39.8 m)
Longest span44 ft (13.4 m)
Deck width37 ft (11.3 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic7,700 (2023)
Projected traffic10,857 by 2043
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed—
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedWidening with deck rehabilitation or replacement
Estimated improvement cost$456,000 (2024 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

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

It was built in 1937, making it 88 years old in 2025.

What condition is US 21_BUS 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 August 2023.

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

About 7,700 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

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

The structure is 131 ft (39.8 m) long with a longest span of 44 ft (13.4 m) and a deck 37 ft wide.

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

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.