US Bridges

SR1959 over I40

Fair

Durham County, North Carolina · 0.3 Mi. S. Jct. SR2058 · Structure no. 000000000630228

Built
1969
56 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
279 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
16,500
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

SR1959 over I40 is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying SR1959 over I40 in Durham County, North Carolina. It was built in 1969, so it is 56 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 16,500 vehicles a day, roughly 12% of them trucks, projected to reach 33,000 by 2040. The structure is 279 ft (85 m) long and 99 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 0.6 mi (1 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSR1959
CrossesI40
Location0.3 Mi. S. Jct. SR2058
RouteState Highway 1959
CountyDurham County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.89064, -78.84866
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating61.9 US tons
Inventory rating36.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length279 ft (85 m)
Longest span84 ft (25.6 m)
Deck width99 ft (30.1 m)
Roadway width96 ft (29.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic16,500 (2021)
Projected traffic33,000 by 2040
Trucks12%
Lanes on structure7
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesOverpass structure at an interchange
CrossesHighway
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 SR1959 over I40 built?

It was built in 1969, making it 56 years old in 2025.

What condition is SR1959 over I40 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 SR1959 over I40 carry?

About 16,500 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 12% are trucks.

How long is SR1959 over I40?

The structure is 279 ft (85 m) long with a longest span of 84 ft (25.6 m) and a deck 99 ft wide.

Who owns SR1959 over I40?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.