US Bridges

NC97 over Compass Creek

Fair

Edgecombe County, North Carolina · 0.6 MI W JCT SR1400 · Structure no. 000000000650082

Built
1950
75 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2024
Type
Culvert
Concrete Continuous
Length
30 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
5,500
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

NC97 over Compass Creek is a concrete continuous culvert carrying NC97 over Compass Creek in Edgecombe County, North Carolina. It was built in 1950, so it is 75 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 5,500 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 11,000 by 2040. The structure is 30 ft (9.1 m) long. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNC97
CrossesCompass Creek
Location0.6 MI W JCT SR1400
RouteState Highway 97
CountyEdgecombe County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.97714, -77.76691
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
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionDecember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating46 US tons
Inventory rating35.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckNot applicable
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length30 ft (9.1 m)
Longest span9 ft (2.7 m)
Deck width0 ft (0 m)
Roadway width0 ft (0 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic5,500 (2021)
Projected traffic11,000 by 2040
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was NC97 over Compass Creek built?

It was built in 1950, making it 75 years old in 2025.

What condition is NC97 over Compass 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 December 2024.

How much traffic does NC97 over Compass Creek carry?

About 5,500 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is NC97 over Compass Creek?

The structure is 30 ft (9.1 m) long with a longest span of 9 ft (2.7 m).

Who owns NC97 over Compass Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.