US Bridges

NC181 over Roses Creek

Fair

Burke County, North Carolina · 0.8 MI.S.JCT.SR1258 · Structure no. 000000000230089

Built
1965
60 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
150 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
3,800
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

NC181 over Roses Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying NC181 over Roses Creek in Burke County, North Carolina. It was built in 1965, so it is 60 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 3,800 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 7,600 by 2040. The structure is 150 ft (45.7 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5.6 mi (9 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNC181
CrossesRoses Creek
Location0.8 MI.S.JCT.SR1258
RouteState Highway 181
CountyBurke County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.84626, -81.77277
Functional classRural 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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating80.9 US tons
Inventory rating48 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length150 ft (45.7 m)
Longest span49 ft (14.9 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.2 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,800 (2021)
Projected traffic7,600 by 2040
Trucks8%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5.6 mi (9 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 NC181 over Roses Creek built?

It was built in 1965, making it 60 years old in 2025.

What condition is NC181 over Roses 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does NC181 over Roses Creek carry?

About 3,800 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is NC181 over Roses Creek?

The structure is 150 ft (45.7 m) long with a longest span of 49 ft (14.9 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns NC181 over Roses Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.