US Bridges

US 1 over Congaree River

Fair

Richland County, South Carolina · City of Columbia · Structure no. 000000000000258

Built
1927
98 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2024
Type
Arch - Deck
Concrete
Length
1,339 ft
11 main spans
Daily traffic
26,600
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US 1 over Congaree River is a concrete arch - deck carrying US 1 over Congaree River in Richland County, South Carolina. It was built in 1927, so it is 98 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 26,600 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 41,762 by 2043. The structure is 1,339 ft (408.2 m) long and 38 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesUS 1
CrossesCongaree River
LocationCity of Columbia
RouteU.S. Route 1
CountyRichland County
StateSouth Carolina
Coordinates33.9958, -81.05094
Functional classUrban Other Principal 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 protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionFebruary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating32.5 US tons
Inventory rating19.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans11
Design loadH 20
Structure length1,339 ft (408.2 m)
Longest span140 ft (42.7 m)
Deck width38 ft (11.6 m)
Roadway width36 ft (11 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic26,600 (2023)
Projected traffic41,762 by 2043
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusListed on the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$8.8 million (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was US 1 over Congaree River built?

It was built in 1927, making it 98 years old in 2025.

What condition is US 1 over Congaree River 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 1 over Congaree River carry?

About 26,600 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is US 1 over Congaree River?

The structure is 1,339 ft (408.2 m) long with a longest span of 140 ft (42.7 m) and a deck 38 ft wide.

Who owns US 1 over Congaree River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.