US Bridges

NC56 NC581 over Fox Creek

Fair

Franklin County, North Carolina · 0.3 Mi. E. Jct. US401 · Structure no. 000000000690062

Built
1973
52 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2023
Type
Culvert
Concrete Continuous
Length
40 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
11,500
2018 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

NC56 NC581 over Fox Creek is a concrete continuous culvert carrying NC56 NC581 over Fox Creek in Franklin County, North Carolina. It was built in 1973, so it is 52 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 11,500 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 23,000 by 2040. The structure is 40 ft (12.1 m) long. If it were closed, the detour would be 2.5 mi (4 km).

Location

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CarriesNC56 NC581
CrossesFox Creek
Location0.3 Mi. E. Jct. US401
RouteState Highway 56
CountyFranklin County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates36.0979, -78.29014
Functional classRural Major Collector

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 inspectionApril 2023
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 rating45 US tons
Inventory rating34 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckNot applicable
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length40 ft (12.1 m)
Longest span13 ft (3.9 m)
Deck width0 ft (0 m)
Roadway width0 ft (0 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic11,500 (2018)
Projected traffic23,000 by 2040
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure4
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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was NC56 NC581 over Fox Creek built?

It was built in 1973, making it 52 years old in 2025.

What condition is NC56 NC581 over Fox 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 April 2023.

How much traffic does NC56 NC581 over Fox Creek carry?

About 11,500 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is NC56 NC581 over Fox Creek?

The structure is 40 ft (12.1 m) long with a longest span of 13 ft (3.9 m).

Who owns NC56 NC581 over Fox Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.