US Bridges

Sc 56 over Fairforest Creek

Poor

Spartanburg County, South Carolina · 6.0 MI S of Spartanburg · Structure no. 000000000001765

Built
1950
75 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected February 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
160 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
4,100
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Sc 56 over Fairforest Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Sc 56 over Fairforest Creek in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. It was built in 1950, so it is 75 years old, older than the South Carolina average of 48 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 4,100 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 5,945 by 2043. The structure is 160 ft (48.8 m) long and 29 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSc 56
CrossesFairforest Creek
Location6.0 MI S of Spartanburg
RouteState Highway 56
CountySpartanburg County
StateSouth Carolina
Coordinates34.87735, -81.88267
Functional classUrban Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionFebruary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 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 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 rating38.6 US tons
Inventory rating23.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadHS 15
Structure length160 ft (48.8 m)
Longest span40 ft (12.2 m)
Deck width29 ft (8.8 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic4,100 (2023)
Projected traffic5,945 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$953,000 (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Sc 56 over Fairforest Creek built?

It was built in 1950, making it 75 years old in 2025.

What condition is Sc 56 over Fairforest Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in February 2024.

How much traffic does Sc 56 over Fairforest Creek carry?

About 4,100 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is Sc 56 over Fairforest Creek?

The structure is 160 ft (48.8 m) long with a longest span of 40 ft (12.2 m) and a deck 29 ft wide.

Who owns Sc 56 over Fairforest Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.