One of the 20 worst bridges in South Carolina is in Horry County, according to a new list from the AAA Motor Club.

AAA says the state should be setting aside millions more to maintain that bridge and others like it.

The Socastee swing bridge is 75 years old, and though it's been repaired and renovated more than once, AAA Motor Club says the state Department of Transportation needs to take a closer look at whether it should be repaired again or replaced.

It's not on a major highway, but the Socastee swing bridge carries nearly 20,000 vehicles a day, including school buses.

A AAA spokesman says an old swing bridge requires more engineering attention than most fixed bridges, and the state should take a close look to see if this one needs a fix.

"We recommend that they evaluate and use the traffic patterns also to help determine whether that bridge ought to be prioritized for repair or replacement or just plain renovation," said Tom Crosby with AAA Motor Club.

The Motor Club isn't saying any of the bridges on its 20 most substandard list are unsafe to drive on, but the listing does give second thoughts to people who use the bridge regularly.

"It never worried me before, but I think it's a matter of concern, something to think about," said Barbara Landrum from Horry County.

The problem is the bridge is popular with many Horry County drivers, who prefer it over the newer Highway 544 bridge just a short distance away.

"I'm a local, so I love the swing bridge. I really don't want to get rid of it," said Morgan Tyler from Horry County.

"I get to see in the fall the trees reflected in the water, and so I like being down at this level so I can actually see what's going on," Landrum added.

AAA says South Carolina has one of the lowest gas taxes in the country, unchanged since 1987.

Whether it means raising that tax or coming up with some other funding source, the club says the state should tackle its infrastructure needs, before it hampers the state's recovery.

About 12 percent of Horry County's bridges are listed as substandard, better than most counties.

Statewide, 23 percent of bridges are substandard.

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