SCDOT has determined that these bridges cannot be rehabilitated to meet the needs of the travelling public or there is no longer a need for the crossing. Because these bridges are historic and eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, the owners are required to market these bridges for adaptive reuse when a replacement or removal project utilizes federal funds and is subject to the National Environmental Policy Act where Federal Highway Administration is the lead federal agency. Under the 23 U.S.C 144(g), “Any State that proposes to demolish a historic bridge for a replacement project with funds made available to carry out this section shall first make the historic bridge available for donation to a State, locality, or responsible private entity if the State, locality, or responsible entity enters into an agreement to maintain the bridge and the features that give the historic bridge its historic significance; and to assume all future legal and financial responsibility for the historic bridge, which may include an agreement to hold the State transportation department harmless in any liability action.”

All new owners must sign a historic bridge agreement accepting responsibility for legal and financial aspects related to the bridge. The new owners must agree to maintain the bridge and its historic features. Prospective owners must demonstrate they are capable of funding the rehabilitation and maintenance of a historic bridge under this program (see FAQ regarding ‘Costs’ below).

The new owner of the bridge may not reuse the bridge on a public road for vehicular purposes, but the bridge must be made publicly accessible. All new owners of a bridge must sign an agreement accepting responsibility for legal and financial aspects related to the bridge. New owners must agree to maintain the bridge and retain the features which give it its historic significance. Upon adopting a bridge, the owners may move the bridge to a new location and purpose. Owners may store the bridge in a storage facility in order to raise funds for rehabilitation prior to placement at a new site.

Anyone can buy the bridge as long as they are committed to reusing the bridge and meet the requirements to properly rehabilitate and maintain the structure (see FAQ regarding Requirements to be a historic bridge owner, above). Preference is given to public uses, but private property owners are able to acquire these bridges.

In most cases, these bridges are of an advanced age and with decades of normal use and weathering they have reached a point of requiring major rehabilitation, replacement or removal to meet the standards of current use as a transportation facility. Many of these bridges were not designed to handle modern vehicles such as fire trucks and large load carrying trucks. Most of these bridges were typically designed for a load capacity of 10 to 15 tons, which is sometimes not sufficient for the needs of the crossing. Most of the bridges exhibit signs of structural deterioration that would need to be addressed by the new owner, depending on the needs at the new location and some may not be suitable for relocation (see also FAQ for “Is the Bridge suitable to relocate?]. In some cases, the condition may be satisfactory as-is for light vehicular or pedestrian use. The bridges often contain lead paint. The amount or need for any rehabilitation would depend on the intended use.

Although the 23 U.S.C. 144 requires that historic bridges that are proposed to be demolished would be made available, certain bridges may be more suitable for relocation than others and some may not be suitable at all. If there are any questions, please contact the SCDOT for more details.

The answer will vary depending on the size of the bridge, the nature of its construction, the structural condition of the bridge, the intended future use of the bridge, the distance between present and future locations, and the fees of the hired contractor(s). A reputable contractor should be able to furnish a realistic estimate that accounts for all costs.

Typical costs associated with the process include:

• The cost of purchasing the bridge. In many cases, for county or municipally-owned structures, the bridge may be acquired for free.
  
• The cost of relocating the bridge to the desired location (transportation fee) including any oversize load permit.
• The cost of disassembly/reassembly of the bridge.
• Costs associated with structural engineering and planning (e.g. abutment design, waterway permit, etc.).
• Modification or structural repair costs according to its intended use (e.g., new concrete abutments and/or foundations for the bridge, new deck, pedestrian railing, lead paint containment or abatement).
• Any future maintenance costs (e.g., cleaning- removing debris collected in the joints of the bridge or underneath the bridge; vegetation removal from bridge and its supports; replacing worn decking; and repainting).

Sample costs associated with adopting a historic bridge include (as developed by TXDOT https://ftp.txdot.gov/pub/txdot-info/env/historic-bridges/sample-costs.pdf)

Costs incurred by the State to preserve a historic bridge (including funds made available to the State, locality, or private entity to enable it to accept the bridge) shall be eligible as reimbursable project costs under this chapter in an amount not to exceed the cost of demolition as sited under 23 U.S.C. 144(g)(6).

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will typically provide preservation assistance to the buyer. The FHWA will typically reimburse the buyer for some portion of costs associated with lifting, dismantling, and/or moving the bridge. Costs associated with rehabilitation and reassembly are the responsibility of the recipient.

While there are no legal restrictions on future work on the bridge, the new owner is encouraged to be aware of the historic characteristics of the bridge when they make changes. The historic characteristics of the bridge and guidance for historic bridge rehabilitation are provided to the new owner as part of the transfer process.

Here is an overview of major milestones in acquiring one of the bridges:

• Bridge project is programmed
• Bridge is identified as eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
• Bridge alternatives analysis is conducted and determines that replacement is the Preferred Alternative.
• Notification that the bridge is available for adoption is made on the SCDOT website.
• Potential new owner sends checklist to SCDOT
• SCDOT agrees to the transfer
• Historic Bridge Adoption Agreement is prepared and executed transferring financial and legal responsibility to the new owner.
• Timing of bridge removal is coordinated with the SCDOT project development team
• New owner works with a contractor for removal and relocation.
• New owner rehabilitates bridge
• New owner opens the bridge to public

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