US Bridges

US70 over Back Creek

Fair

Alamance County, North Carolina · 1.2 Mi. E. Jct. NC49 · Structure no. 000000000010081

Built
1938
87 years old, rebuilt 2013
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2025
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
132 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
6,800
2019 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US70 over Back Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying US70 over Back Creek in Alamance County, North Carolina. It was built in 1938 and reconstructed in 2013, so it is 87 years old, older than the North Carolina average of 38.7 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 6 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

It carries about 6,800 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 13,600 by 2040. The structure is 132 ft (40.2 m) long and 29 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesUS70
CrossesBack Creek
Location1.2 Mi. E. Jct. NC49
RouteU.S. Route 70
CountyAlamance County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates36.09344, -79.33589
Functional classUrban Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionJanuary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourCountermeasures installed to correct a previously existing problem
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating36.9 US tons
Inventory rating21.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length132 ft (40.2 m)
Longest span45 ft (13.7 m)
Deck width29 ft (8.9 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic6,800 (2019)
Projected traffic13,600 by 2040
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was US70 over Back Creek built?

It was built in 1938, making it 87 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2013.

What condition is US70 over Back Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in fair condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. The last reported inspection was in January 2025.

How much traffic does US70 over Back Creek carry?

About 6,800 vehicles per day (2019 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is US70 over Back Creek?

The structure is 132 ft (40.2 m) long with a longest span of 45 ft (13.7 m) and a deck 29 ft wide.

Who owns US70 over Back Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.