US Bridges

NC42 over Falls Creek

Fair

Chatham County, North Carolina · 0.7 Mi. E. Jct. NC22 · Structure no. 000000000370015

Built
1963
62 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
105 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
750
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

NC42 over Falls Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying NC42 over Falls Creek in Chatham County, North Carolina. It was built in 1963, so it is 62 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 750 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,500 by 2040. The structure is 105 ft (32 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 0.6 mi (1 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNC42
CrossesFalls Creek
Location0.7 Mi. E. Jct. NC22
RouteState Highway 42
CountyChatham County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.52886, -79.51343
Functional classRural Major Collector

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.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
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 rating51.9 US tons
Inventory rating31 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length105 ft (32 m)
Longest span35 ft (10.6 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.6 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic750 (2021)
Projected traffic1,500 by 2040
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed0.6 mi (1 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was NC42 over Falls Creek built?

It was built in 1963, making it 62 years old in 2025.

What condition is NC42 over Falls 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 NC42 over Falls Creek carry?

About 750 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is NC42 over Falls Creek?

The structure is 105 ft (32 m) long with a longest span of 35 ft (10.6 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns NC42 over Falls Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.