US Bridges

NFSR 340 over Fires Creek

FairPosted for load

Clay County, North Carolina · 1 Mi. N. Jct. SR 1344 · Structure no. 081109000003144

Built
1951
74 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
79 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
20
1980 count
Owner
Federal
U.S. Forest Service

About this bridge

NFSR 340 over Fires Creek is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying NFSR 340 over Fires Creek in Clay County, North Carolina. It was built in 1951, so it is 74 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 20 vehicles a day, projected to reach 30 by 2045. The structure is 79 ft (24.1 m) long and 14 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.2 mi (158 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNFSR 340
CrossesFires Creek
Location1 Mi. N. Jct. SR 1344
RouteFederal Lands Road 340.1
CountyClay County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.09474, -83.85848
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 protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionAugust 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating19.3 US tons
Inventory rating15 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadOther
Structure length79 ft (24.1 m)
Longest span51 ft (15.5 m)
Deck width14 ft (4.3 m)
Roadway width12 ft (3.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic20 (1980)
Projected traffic30 by 2045
Trucks—
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed98.2 mi (158 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 340 over Fires Creek built?

It was built in 1951, making it 74 years old in 2025.

What condition is NFSR 340 over Fires 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 2024.

How much traffic does NFSR 340 over Fires Creek carry?

About 20 vehicles per day (1980 count).

How long is NFSR 340 over Fires Creek?

The structure is 79 ft (24.1 m) long with a longest span of 51 ft (15.5 m) and a deck 14 ft wide.

Who owns NFSR 340 over Fires Creek?

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