FHWA NBI 2024 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

SC 9 BUS

Carrying SC 9 BUS over BEAR CREEK

LANCASTER CITY LIMITS, Lancaster, South Carolina

Data updated May 2026

FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.

Poor
21 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: SC 9 BUS

The SC 9 BUS bridge in Lancaster, South Carolina carries SC 9 BUS over BEAR CREEK. It was built in 1929, making it 97 years old today. It was last reconstructed in 1972, extending its service life. The structure is built primarily of concrete and spans 7 sections, stretching 53.3 meters (175 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 4,600 vehicles, placing it in the moderately-trafficked tier of South Carolina bridges. It is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.

The latest FHWA inspection records show a deck rating of 6/9, superstructure at 6/9, substructure at 3/9. The weakest component sits in poor condition. Because at least one major component scores 4 or lower, this bridge falls in FHWA's Poor condition category. That category is not a closure order. Its NBI inventory load rating is 21.4 metric tons.

Sourced from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory. See our methodology for refresh cadence and NBI release vintage.

How SC 9 BUS compares

▼ 8.4
Load rating vs South Carolina average (29.8 t)
Bottom 29%
Lower load rating than 71% of South Carolina bridges
110
Bridges in Lancaster · 15 in Poor condition
SC 9 BUS 21.4 t
South Carolina average 29.8 t

Live comparison across South Carolina.

Historical Sufficiency Rating

PlainBridge-computed
29.6 / 100 - historical 20–49.9 band
Structural adequacy /55
3.1
Serviceability /30
11.5
Essentiality /15
15.0
Special reductions
0

FHWA discontinued this calculated item; it does not determine current condition, funding eligibility, posting, or closure. How the historical reference is calculated.

Condition Ratings

Deck
6/9
Fair (5–6)
Superstructure
6/9
Fair (5–6)
Substructure
3/9
Poor (1–4)
Inventory Load Rating
21.4 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
Overall Condition
Poor

Full 0–9 scale + sufficiency-rating breakdown: how condition ratings work.

Structural Details

Year Built
1929
Last Reconstructed
1972
Material
Concrete
Number of Spans
7
Structure Length
53.3 m (175 ft)
Deck Width
23.3 m (76 ft)
Owner
State Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
4,600 vehicles/day
Structure Number
000000000000348

Condition Analysis

  • The deck (driving surface) is in fair condition (6/9), with minor deterioration that may require routine maintenance.
  • At 6/9, the superstructure (beams and supports above the deck) shows fair condition, with minor wear flagged for upkeep.
  • The substructure (piers and abutments) is in poor condition (3/9), showing advanced deterioration that may require priority repair.

How to read this record

SC 9 BUS is in the federal Poor condition category. That is a component-based result, not a closure order.

  • NBI condition ratings reflect the latest record in this annual dataset, not a live status. Current routine inspection intervals are risk-based.
  • Understand what Poor condition does and does not mean before drawing conclusions. Poor condition explained
  • Compare SC 9 BUS against other structures in Lancaster and across South Carolina. South Carolina bridges
  • Noticed visible damage or a safety concern? Report it to the agency that owns the bridge, or call 911 in an emergency. How to report a bridge

Condition codes come straight from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory and are not a real-time safety judgment. Only the owning agency, a state DOT, county, or other owner, can post, restrict, or close a bridge.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do the condition ratings mean for SC 9 BUS?

SC 9 BUS in Lancaster, South Carolina has a deck rating of 6/9, superstructure rating of 6/9, and substructure rating of 3/9 on the FHWA's 0–9 scale.

How often is SC 9 BUS inspected?

SC 9 BUS's responsible agency sets its routine interval under FHWA's risk-based inspection rules; this page does not expose the scheduled interval. It carries about 4,600 vehicles per day.

What does “structurally deficient” mean in older bridge reports?

FHWA retired that reported status beginning with the 2018 archive. SC 9 BUS is currently shown as Poor condition from its component ratings; that category is not a live closure or safety decision.

What is the inventory load rating for SC 9 BUS?

SC 9 BUS has an NBI inventory load rating of 21.4 metric tons.

Who is responsible for maintaining SC 9 BUS?

SC 9 BUS is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.

How old is SC 9 BUS and does age affect safety?

SC 9 BUS was built in 1929, making it 97 years old and last reconstructed in 1972.

Disclaimer: Bridge condition data is from the FHWA NBI and reflects the last reported inspection. A Poor condition rating is not a live declaration that a bridge is closed or unsafe for travel. For current closure, posting, or safety information, contact the responsible transportation agency.

Data sourced from the Federal Highway Administration National Bridge Inventory. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainBridges

Every figure on PlainBridge is rendered directly from federal source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on federal source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.