US Bridges

S-38-397 over Bull Swamp

Fair

Orangeburg County, South Carolina · 4MI N North · Structure no. 000000000000899

Built
1938
87 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
90 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
300
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

S-38-397 over Bull Swamp is a concrete tee beam carrying S-38-397 over Bull Swamp in Orangeburg County, South Carolina. It was built in 1938, so it is 87 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 300 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 384 by 2043. The structure is 90 ft (27.4 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesS-38-397
CrossesBull Swamp
Location4MI N North
RouteState Highway 397
CountyOrangeburg County
StateSouth Carolina
Coordinates33.66106, -81.07681
Functional classRural Local

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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionAugust 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
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
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating47.2 US tons
Inventory rating28.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length90 ft (27.4 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.1 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.2 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic300 (2023)
Projected traffic384 by 2043
Trucks8%
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 statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was S-38-397 over Bull Swamp built?

It was built in 1938, making it 87 years old in 2025.

What condition is S-38-397 over Bull Swamp 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 S-38-397 over Bull Swamp carry?

About 300 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is S-38-397 over Bull Swamp?

The structure is 90 ft (27.4 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns S-38-397 over Bull Swamp?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.