FHWA NBI 2024 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

US 176

Carrying US 176 over S.C.L. RAILROAD

0.7 MI N NEWBERRY CO LN, Union, South Carolina

Data updated May 2026

FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.

Poor
15 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: US 176

The US 176 bridge in Union, South Carolina carries US 176 over S.C.L. RAILROAD. It was built in 1931, making it 95 years old today. It was last reconstructed in 1970, extending its service life. The structure is built primarily of steel and spans 7 sections, stretching 49.7 meters (163 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 1,950 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 4/9, substructure at 5/9. The weakest component sits in poor condition. At least one major component here scores 4 or below, which produces a Poor condition classification under FHWA's current reporting rules. Its NBI inventory load rating is 14.9 metric tons.

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

How US 176 compares

▼ 14.9
Load rating vs South Carolina average (29.8 t)
Bottom 6%
Lower load rating than 94% of South Carolina bridges
82
Bridges in Union · 13 in Poor condition
US 176 14.9 t
South Carolina average 29.8 t

Live comparison across South Carolina.

Historical Sufficiency Rating

PlainBridge-computed
44.5 / 100 - historical 20–49.9 band
Structural adequacy /55
6.2
Serviceability /30
26.0
Essentiality /15
12.3
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 How the historical reference is calculated.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
4/9
Poor (1–4)
Substructure
5/9
Fair (5–6)
Inventory Load Rating
14.9 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
Overall Condition
Poor

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

Structural Details

Year Built
1931
Last Reconstructed
1970
Material
Steel
Number of Spans
7
Structure Length
49.7 m (163 ft)
Deck Width
14.5 m (48 ft)
Owner
State Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
1,950 vehicles/day
Structure Number
000000000000578

Condition Analysis

  • The deck (driving surface) is in fair condition (6/9), with minor deterioration that may require routine maintenance.
  • At 4/9, the superstructure (beams and supports above the deck) is in poor shape, with advanced wear flagged for priority repair.
  • At 5/9, the substructure (piers and abutments) shows fair condition, with minor wear flagged for upkeep.

How to read this record

US 176 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 US 176 against other structures in Union 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 US 176?

US 176 in Union, South Carolina has a deck rating of 6/9, superstructure rating of 4/9, and substructure rating of 5/9 on the FHWA's 0–9 scale.

How often is US 176 inspected?

US 176'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 1,950 vehicles per day.

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

FHWA retired that reported status beginning with the 2018 archive. US 176 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 US 176?

US 176 has an NBI inventory load rating of 14.9 metric tons.

Who is responsible for maintaining US 176?

US 176 is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.

How old is US 176 and does age affect safety?

US 176 was built in 1931, making it 95 years old and last reconstructed in 1970.

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.