This SC county has nearly 40% of bridges in poor or fair shape. Winter storm must knows.

Two dozen bridges across Horry County are in poor structural condition — including one that’s a primary access point that connects Conway to U.S Route 501.

South Carolina’s coldest Christmas in a generation overlaps with one of the busiest travel weekends of the year, putting thousands of vehicles in potentially dangerous situations as they cross over bridges on their way to family and friends.

Here’s what you should know to keep safe as nearly 40% of the county’s 672 bridges are in poor or fair shape.

Be aware of treated roads when driving

State Department of Transportation officials began pre-treating roads and bridges with salt brine earlier this week, and the agency said on its social media accounts crews are on hand to monitor conditions in real time should severe weather approach.

Crews typically use a combination of sand and salt brine to keep roads from getting too slippery and allowing for additional traction. Driving on sand treated roads can be a bit more tricky because it doesn’t melt ice, leading to slicker conditions.

County spokesman Thomas Bell said ice freezing over roads is not a “major concern” for officials as icy weather approaches.

“Fortunately for Horry County, the rain stopped relatively early yesterday and the breezy conditions into today has dried up most of the moisture on pavement surfaces,” he said Dec. 23.

Bell said he was “unaware” of the county pre-treating its roads or surfaces.

9 cold weather tips to prepare your home (and car) for below freezing temps

“Overall, ice forming on roads is not a major concern with this event,” he said.

Bridges freeze before roads

Due to their elevation and inability to trap heat, wet bridges will always freeze over before roads, requiring extra caution when traversing them.

Since most bridges span bodies or water, ravines and other areas that stay relatively cool, their surfaces are often more slick even after a minor rain event.

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But an additional challenge for some of Horry County’s most used bridges is that they’re already in poor condition on a good day according to online database bridgereports.com

That list includes:

• A U.S. 501 bypass bridge over the Waccamaw River in Conway

• A bridge on S.C. Route 90 that crosses over S.C. Road 14 outside of Conway

• A bridge on U.S. Route 701 over Crabtree Swamp in Conway

“Crews have been working overnight and this morning, and they have been able to clear most of the trees and debris from roadways in Horry County,” S.C. DOT spokeswoman Ginny Jones said Dec. 23. “They will be responding as needed while windy conditions continue.”

Take extra precautions when navigating a bridge

All-Star Driver Education, one of the nation’s largest training groups, has several tips on what to do when approaching a bridge when bad weather is involved.

• Be aware of the weather and temperature. Any time there is precipitation and temperatures below freezing, ice is able to form on bridges. If ice has formed on your windshield, it is very likely that it has formed on bridges as well.

• Slow down when approaching the bridge, you will be less likely to lose control.

• Avoid accelerating, braking, or changing lanes as you pass over the bridge. Vehicle movements like this can cause your car to slide or spin or out of control.

• If you do have an accident on a bridge, don’t panic. As your vehicle slides, turn into the slide to regain control. Be aware of other vehicles around you, as there is a chance they may slide on the ice as well.

• Never exit your vehicle on an icy bridge, this puts you at risk for being hit by other cars.

“We would just ask folks out on the road to please drive extra carefully,” Jones said.