US Bridges

NFSR 81 over Santeelah Creek

Fair

Graham County, North Carolina · 1.5 Mi. from SR 1127 · Structure no. 081102000003041

Built
1948
77 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
101 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
50
1980 count
Owner
Federal
U.S. Forest Service

About this bridge

NFSR 81 over Santeelah Creek is a concrete slab carrying NFSR 81 over Santeelah Creek in Graham County, North Carolina. It was built in 1948, so it is 77 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 50 vehicles a day, projected to reach 75 by 2045. The structure is 101 ft (30.9 m) long and 13 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.2 mi (158 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNFSR 81
CrossesSanteelah Creek
Location1.5 Mi. from SR 1127
RouteFederal Lands Road 81.15
CountyGraham County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.3412, -83.9092
Functional classRural Local

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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionNovember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating26.8 US tons
Inventory rating20.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadOther
Structure length101 ft (30.9 m)
Longest span26 ft (7.9 m)
Deck width13 ft (4.1 m)
Roadway width12 ft (3.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic50 (1980)
Projected traffic75 by 2045
Trucks—
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed98.2 mi (158 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerU.S. Forest Service
Maintained byU.S. Forest Service
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was NFSR 81 over Santeelah Creek built?

It was built in 1948, making it 77 years old in 2025.

What condition is NFSR 81 over Santeelah 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 November 2024.

How much traffic does NFSR 81 over Santeelah Creek carry?

About 50 vehicles per day (1980 count).

How long is NFSR 81 over Santeelah Creek?

The structure is 101 ft (30.9 m) long with a longest span of 26 ft (7.9 m) and a deck 13 ft wide.

Who owns NFSR 81 over Santeelah Creek?

It is owned by the U.S. Forest Service.