US Bridges

NC55 over Norfolk & Souther

Fair

Durham County, North Carolina · 0.5 MI E JCT I85 · Structure no. 000000000630098

Built
1936
89 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
114 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
17,000
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

NC55 over Norfolk & Souther is a concrete tee beam carrying NC55 over Norfolk & Souther in Durham County, North Carolina. It was built in 1936, so it is 89 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 5 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 17,000 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 34,000 by 2040. The structure is 114 ft (34.7 m) long and 44 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 0.6 mi (1 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNC55
CrossesNorfolk & Souther
Location0.5 MI E JCT I85
RouteState Highway 55
CountyDurham County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates36.00789, -78.88571
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating49.9 US tons
Inventory rating30 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length114 ft (34.7 m)
Longest span37 ft (11.2 m)
Deck width44 ft (13.4 m)
Roadway width32 ft (9.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic17,000 (2021)
Projected traffic34,000 by 2040
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesRailroad
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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was NC55 over Norfolk & Souther built?

It was built in 1936, making it 89 years old in 2025.

What condition is NC55 over Norfolk & Souther 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 NC55 over Norfolk & Souther carry?

About 17,000 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is NC55 over Norfolk & Souther?

The structure is 114 ft (34.7 m) long with a longest span of 37 ft (11.2 m) and a deck 44 ft wide.

Who owns NC55 over Norfolk & Souther?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.