US Bridges

US70 over N. Buffalo Creek

Fair

Guilford County, North Carolina · 0.7 Mi. W. Jct. US220 · Structure no. 000000000810561

Built
1972
53 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Culvert
Concrete Continuous
Length
34 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
50,000
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US70 over N. Buffalo Creek is a concrete continuous culvert carrying US70 over N. Buffalo Creek in Guilford County, North Carolina. It was built in 1972, so it is 53 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 50,000 vehicles a day, roughly 12% of them trucks, projected to reach 100,000 by 2040. The structure is 34 ft (10.3 m) long. If it were closed, the detour would be 0.6 mi (1 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesUS70
CrossesN. Buffalo Creek
Location0.7 Mi. W. Jct. US220
RouteU.S. Route 70
CountyGuilford County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates36.08785, -79.82219
Functional classUrban Principal Arterial - Other Freeway or Expressway

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.
Culvert5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionNovember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
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 + Mod
Structure length34 ft (10.3 m)
Longest span10 ft (3 m)
Deck width0 ft (0 m)
Roadway width0 ft (0 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic50,000 (2022)
Projected traffic100,000 by 2040
Trucks12%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed0.6 mi (1 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

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 US70 over N. Buffalo Creek built?

It was built in 1972, making it 53 years old in 2025.

What condition is US70 over N. Buffalo 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 2023.

How much traffic does US70 over N. Buffalo Creek carry?

About 50,000 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 12% are trucks.

How long is US70 over N. Buffalo Creek?

The structure is 34 ft (10.3 m) long with a longest span of 10 ft (3 m).

Who owns US70 over N. Buffalo Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.