US Bridges

US 178 over Town Creek

Fair

Pickens County, South Carolina · City of Pickens · Structure no. 000000000000360

Built
1929
96 years old, rebuilt 1965
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
88 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
7,600
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US 178 over Town Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying US 178 over Town Creek in Pickens County, South Carolina. It was built in 1929 and reconstructed in 1965, so it is 96 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 7,600 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 9,652 by 2043. The structure is 88 ft (26.8 m) long and 66 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesUS 178
CrossesTown Creek
LocationCity of Pickens
RouteU.S. Route 178
CountyPickens County
StateSouth Carolina
Coordinates34.89138, -82.71076
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMay 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 geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating53.9 US tons
Inventory rating32.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadH 15
Structure length88 ft (26.8 m)
Longest span22 ft (6.7 m)
Deck width66 ft (20.1 m)
Roadway width56 ft (17.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic7,600 (2023)
Projected traffic9,652 by 2043
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 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 US 178 over Town Creek built?

It was built in 1929, making it 96 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1965.

What condition is US 178 over Town 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 May 2024.

How much traffic does US 178 over Town Creek carry?

About 7,600 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is US 178 over Town Creek?

The structure is 88 ft (26.8 m) long with a longest span of 22 ft (6.7 m) and a deck 66 ft wide.

Who owns US 178 over Town Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.