Road closures coming to Socastee bridge on SC 544. Here’s when and for how long

A portion of Highway 544 will be closed at night for routine inspections by the South Carolina Department of Transportation.

Lane closures along 544 on the Socastee bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway will run from July 21 to July 24 starting at 7 p.m. until 6 a.m. the next day.

Drivers may be able to avoid the traffic by taking the Socastee Swing Bridge along Dick Pond Road.

The 544 bridge is currently in good condition, according to the Federal Highway Administration.

Bridges are inspected and rated based on the bridge’s strength and structural integrity on a yearly basis and given a rating out of nine known as the National Bridge Inventory rating.

The 544 bridge has received a seven substructure and superstructure condition, and an eight for its substructure condition.