US Bridges

US15/501S;BUS over Norfolk Southern Railway

Fair

Durham County, North Carolina · 0.5 Mi. S. of JCT I85 · Structure no. 000000000630114

Built
1956
69 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
144 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
7,600
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US15/501S;BUS over Norfolk Southern Railway is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying US15/501S;BUS over Norfolk Southern Railway in Durham County, North Carolina. It was built in 1956, so it is 69 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 7,600 vehicles a day, roughly 12% of them trucks, projected to reach 15,200 by 2040. The structure is 144 ft (43.8 m) long and 48 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 0.6 mi (1 km).

Location

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CarriesUS15/501S;BUS
CrossesNorfolk Southern Railway
Location0.5 Mi. S. of JCT I85
RouteU.S. Route 15
CountyDurham County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates36.00854, -78.89337
Functional classUrban Other Principal 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.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionNovember 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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating59 US tons
Inventory rating34.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length144 ft (43.8 m)
Longest span51 ft (15.5 m)
Deck width48 ft (14.6 m)
Roadway width36 ft (11 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic7,600 (2022)
Projected traffic15,200 by 2040
Trucks12%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed0.6 mi (1 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

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—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was US15/501S;BUS over Norfolk Southern Railway built?

It was built in 1956, making it 69 years old in 2025.

What condition is US15/501S;BUS over Norfolk Southern Railway 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 November 2023.

How much traffic does US15/501S;BUS over Norfolk Southern Railway carry?

About 7,600 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 12% are trucks.

How long is US15/501S;BUS over Norfolk Southern Railway?

The structure is 144 ft (43.8 m) long with a longest span of 51 ft (15.5 m) and a deck 48 ft wide.

Who owns US15/501S;BUS over Norfolk Southern Railway?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.