US Bridges

NFSR 981 over Rockhouse Creek

FairPosted for load

Avery County, North Carolina · 1.5 Mi. W. Jct. Fs 45 · Structure no. 081105000003082

Built
1941
84 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2023
Type
Arch - Deck
Concrete
Length
52 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
25
1980 count
Owner
Federal
U.S. Forest Service

About this bridge

NFSR 981 over Rockhouse Creek is a concrete arch - deck carrying NFSR 981 over Rockhouse Creek in Avery County, North Carolina. It was built in 1941, so it is 84 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 25 vehicles a day, projected to reach 37 by 2045. The structure is 52 ft (15.8 m) long and 14 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 23.6 mi (38 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNFSR 981
CrossesRockhouse Creek
Location1.5 Mi. W. Jct. Fs 45
RouteFederal Lands Road 981.1
CountyAvery County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates36.02026, -81.78148
Functional classRural Local

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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJuly 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating37.8 US tons
Inventory rating29.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadOther
Structure length52 ft (15.8 m)
Longest span50 ft (15.2 m)
Deck width14 ft (4.3 m)
Roadway width12 ft (3.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic25 (1980)
Projected traffic37 by 2045
Trucks—
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed23.6 mi (38 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerU.S. Forest Service
Maintained byU.S. Forest Service
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was NFSR 981 over Rockhouse Creek built?

It was built in 1941, making it 84 years old in 2025.

What condition is NFSR 981 over Rockhouse 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 July 2023.

How much traffic does NFSR 981 over Rockhouse Creek carry?

About 25 vehicles per day (1980 count).

How long is NFSR 981 over Rockhouse Creek?

The structure is 52 ft (15.8 m) long with a longest span of 50 ft (15.2 m) and a deck 14 ft wide.

Who owns NFSR 981 over Rockhouse Creek?

It is owned by the U.S. Forest Service.