Truss Bridges

Truss bridges are characterized by the joining of numerous relatively small structural members into a series of interconnected triangles. They were first built of wood, then iron, then steel or occasionally a combination of the materials which underwent an explosion of design and technological innovations that began in the mid-19th century.

A truss bridge can be characterized by the location of its traffic deck. On a pony truss, the travel surface passes along the bottom chords of trusses standing to either side that are not connected at the top. These trusses are designed for lighter loads.

On a through truss bridge, the deck again is carried along the bottom chord, but the trusses to either side are generally higher and are connected by cross-bracing at their tops. Designed for heavier loads and longer spans, this truss is the most common.

The least common is the deck truss, which carries its deck and traffic entirely on top of the truss structure.

Metal trusses can also be differentiated by how their structural members are connected. The earliest examples were connected with pins. The pin connection was subsequently replaced by bolted and then welded connections.

In total threre are XX number of County/Private owned Truss Bridges in the state. However, currently there are a total of 5 (five) eligible state owned Truss bridges left in the state. They are as follows:

S-159 (Millers Mill Road) Bridge in Abbeville County - A Pony Truss
S-152 (High Shoals Road) Bridge in Anderson County - Through Truss
S-42 Bridge in McCormick County - Through Truss
SC 23 Bridge in McCormick County - Pony Truss
S-117 Bridge in McCormick County - Through Truss
S-32 Bridge in Oconee County - Pony Truss

As one of the oldest modern bridge types, the Truss Bridge has a complex, repetitive geometric design that is aesthetically appealing. The framework creates a sense of order and structural aethetic due to its open design distinguishing itself from modern slab bridges.

Here is South Carolina there are currently Six (6) state-owned NRHP eligible Truss Bridges and there are XX county or locally owned Truss bridges. The six state owned Truss bridges are highlighted below.

S-159 Bridge over Long Cane Creek

Abbeville County
Bridge Number: 0170015900100
Pony Truss Bridge
Built: 1955

Click for more information
S-152 Bridge over Rocky River

Anderson County
Bridge Number: 0470015200300
Through Truss
Built: 1919

Click for more information
S-42 Bridge over Cuffeytown Creek

McCormick County
Bridge Number: 3370004200100
Through Truss Bridge
Built 1909

Click for more information
SC 23 Bridge over Stevens Creek

McCormick County
Bridge Number: 3340002300100
Pony Truss Bridge
Built 1937

Click for more information
S-117 Bridge over Long Cane Creek

McCormick County
Bridge Number: 3370011700100
Through Truss Bridge
Built circa 1910

Click for more information
S-32 Bridge over West Fork Little River

Oconee County
Bridge Number: 3770003200100
Pony Truss Bridge
Built 1921

Click for more information

Statewide Truss Bridges

Truss Bridges

S-159 Bridge over Long Cane Creek

S-152 Bridge over Rocky River

S-42 Bridge over Cuffeytown Creek

SC 23 Bridge over Stevens Creek

S-117 Bridge over Long Cane Creek

S-32 Bridge over West Fork Little River