US Bridges

Sc 9 over Lake Bowen

Poor

Spartanburg County, South Carolina · 5.0 MI NE Inman · Structure no. 000000000003101

Built
1959
66 years old, rebuilt 2023
Condition
Poor
inspected December 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
400 ft
10 main spans
Daily traffic
10,000
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Sc 9 over Lake Bowen is a concrete tee beam carrying Sc 9 over Lake Bowen in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. It was built in 1959 and reconstructed in 2023, so it is 66 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 10,000 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 18,200 by 2043. The structure is 400 ft (121.9 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSc 9
CrossesLake Bowen
Location5.0 MI NE Inman
RouteState Highway 9
CountySpartanburg County
StateSouth Carolina
Coordinates35.11368, -82.04062
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionDecember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating47.5 US tons
Inventory rating28.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans10
Design loadHS 15
Structure length400 ft (121.9 m)
Longest span40 ft (12.2 m)
Deck width30 ft (9 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic10,000 (2023)
Projected traffic18,200 by 2043
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 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$2.5 million (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Sc 9 over Lake Bowen built?

It was built in 1959, making it 66 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2023.

What condition is Sc 9 over Lake Bowen 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 December 2024.

How much traffic does Sc 9 over Lake Bowen carry?

About 10,000 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is Sc 9 over Lake Bowen?

The structure is 400 ft (121.9 m) long with a longest span of 40 ft (12.2 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns Sc 9 over Lake Bowen?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.