FHWA NBI 2024 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

US 401

Carrying US 401 over ROCKY BLUFF SWAMP (2)

4 MI NE OF SUMTER, Sumter, South Carolina

Data updated May 2026

FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.

Fair
21 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: US 401

The US 401 bridge in Sumter, South Carolina carries US 401 over ROCKY BLUFF SWAMP (2). It was built in 1955, making it 71 years old today. The structure is built primarily of concrete continuous and spans 6 sections, stretching 26.5 meters (87 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 3,600 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 7/9, superstructure at 7/9, substructure at 6/9. The weakest component sits in fair condition. All reported major components score above the Poor range. 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 US 401 compares

▼ 8.4
Load rating vs South Carolina average (29.8 t)
Bottom 29%
Lower load rating than 71% of South Carolina bridges
100
Bridges in Sumter · 7 in Poor condition
US 401 21.4 t
South Carolina average 29.8 t

Live comparison across South Carolina.

Historical Sufficiency Rating

PlainBridge-computed
69.3 / 100 - historical 50–79.9 band
Structural adequacy /55
43.1
Serviceability /30
12.0
Essentiality /15
14.2
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 How the historical reference is calculated.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
7/9
Good (7–9)
Superstructure
7/9
Good (7–9)
Substructure
6/9
Fair (5–6)
Inventory Load Rating
21.4 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
Overall Condition
Fair

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

Structural Details

Year Built
1955
Material
Concrete Continuous
Number of Spans
6
Structure Length
26.5 m (87 ft)
Deck Width
10.4 m (34 ft)
Owner
State Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
3,600 vehicles/day
Structure Number
000000000002264

Condition Analysis

  • The deck (driving surface) is in good condition (7/9), showing no significant deterioration.
  • At 7/9, the superstructure (beams and supports above the deck) is in good shape and shows no significant wear.
  • At 6/9, the substructure (piers and abutments) shows fair condition, with minor wear flagged for upkeep.

How to read this record

This page shows what the last federal inspection recorded, not whether US 401 is safe to cross today. Here is how to use it.

  • NBI condition ratings reflect the latest record in this annual dataset, not a live status. Current routine inspection intervals are risk-based.
  • Learn how the 0–9 condition scale and Good/Fair/Poor categories are defined. How condition ratings work
  • Compare US 401 against other structures in Sumter 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 401?

US 401 in Sumter, South Carolina has a deck rating of 7/9, superstructure rating of 7/9, and substructure rating of 6/9 on the FHWA's 0–9 scale.

How often is US 401 inspected?

US 401'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 3,600 vehicles per day.

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

FHWA retired that reported status beginning with the 2018 archive. US 401 is currently shown as Fair condition from its component ratings; that category is not a live closure or safety decision.

What is the inventory load rating for US 401?

US 401 has an NBI inventory load rating of 21.4 metric tons.

Who is responsible for maintaining US 401?

US 401 is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.

How old is US 401 and does age affect safety?

US 401 was built in 1955, making it 71 years old.

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.