US Bridges

I40 Wbl over New Hope Creek

Fair

Durham County, North Carolina · 0.5 Mi. W. of JCT.NC54 · Structure no. 000000000630303

Built
1985
40 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete
Length
342 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
49,000
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

I40 Wbl over New Hope Creek is a prestressed concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying I40 Wbl over New Hope Creek in Durham County, North Carolina. It was built in 1985, so it is 40 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 49,000 vehicles a day, roughly 16% of them trucks, projected to reach 98,000 by 2040. The structure is 342 ft (104.2 m) long and 58 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 0.6 mi (1 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesI40 Wbl
CrossesNew Hope Creek
Location0.5 Mi. W. of JCT.NC54
RouteInterstate 40
CountyDurham County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.90481, -78.97036
Functional classUrban Principal Arterial - Interstate

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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating99 US tons
Inventory rating42 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans5 (+2 approach)
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length342 ft (104.2 m)
Longest span67 ft (20.4 m)
Deck width58 ft (17.6 m)
Roadway width55 ft (16.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic49,000 (2020)
Projected traffic98,000 by 2040
Trucks16%
Lanes on structure3
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed0.6 mi (1 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes
Strategic Highway NetworkInterstate STRAHNET route

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 I40 Wbl over New Hope Creek built?

It was built in 1985, making it 40 years old in 2025.

What condition is I40 Wbl over New Hope 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does I40 Wbl over New Hope Creek carry?

About 49,000 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 16% are trucks.

How long is I40 Wbl over New Hope Creek?

The structure is 342 ft (104.2 m) long with a longest span of 67 ft (20.4 m) and a deck 58 ft wide.

Who owns I40 Wbl over New Hope Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.