US Bridges

NC561 over Sandy Creek

Poor

Franklin County, North Carolina · 3.7 Mi. W. Jct. NC58 · Structure no. 000000000690024

Built
1950
75 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected May 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
190 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
3,000
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

NC561 over Sandy Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying NC561 over Sandy Creek in Franklin 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 poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 3,000 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 6,000 by 2040. The structure is 190 ft (57.9 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 2.5 mi (4 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNC561
CrossesSandy Creek
Location3.7 Mi. W. Jct. NC58
RouteState Highway 561
CountyFranklin County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates36.16499, -78.16155
Functional classRural Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating48 US tons
Inventory rating29 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadHS 15
Structure length190 ft (57.9 m)
Longest span46 ft (14 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.6 m)
Roadway width26 ft (8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,000 (2021)
Projected traffic6,000 by 2040
Trucks8%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed2.5 mi (4 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was NC561 over Sandy Creek built?

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

What condition is NC561 over Sandy Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in May 2023.

How much traffic does NC561 over Sandy Creek carry?

About 3,000 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is NC561 over Sandy Creek?

The structure is 190 ft (57.9 m) long with a longest span of 46 ft (14 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns NC561 over Sandy Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.