US Bridges

Sc 18 over Southern Railroad

PoorPosted for load

Union County, South Carolina · Town of Jonesville · Structure no. 000000000000986

Built
1939
86 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected January 2025
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
141 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
1,050
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Sc 18 over Southern Railroad is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Sc 18 over Southern Railroad in Union County, South Carolina. It was built in 1939, so it is 86 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 1,050 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,670 by 2043. The structure is 141 ft (43.1 m) long and 50 ft wide.

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSc 18
CrossesSouthern Railroad
LocationTown of Jonesville
RouteState Highway 18
CountyUnion County
StateSouth Carolina
Coordinates34.83406, -81.67916
Functional classRural 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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJanuary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating8.9 US tons
Inventory rating5.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length141 ft (43.1 m)
Longest span48 ft (14.6 m)
Deck width50 ft (15.3 m)
Roadway width40 ft (12.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,050 (2023)
Projected traffic1,670 by 2043
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed—
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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$223,000 (2024 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Sc 18 over Southern Railroad built?

It was built in 1939, making it 86 years old in 2025.

What condition is Sc 18 over Southern Railroad 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 January 2025.

How much traffic does Sc 18 over Southern Railroad carry?

About 1,050 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is Sc 18 over Southern Railroad?

The structure is 141 ft (43.1 m) long with a longest span of 48 ft (14.6 m) and a deck 50 ft wide.

Who owns Sc 18 over Southern Railroad?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.