US Bridges

NFSR 288 over Mt. Sterling Creek

Fair

Haywood County, North Carolina · 10.3 Mi. from JCT.40 · Structure no. 081104000003060

Built
1980
45 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
27 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
50
Owner
Federal
U.S. Forest Service

About this bridge

NFSR 288 over Mt. Sterling Creek is a concrete slab carrying NFSR 288 over Mt. Sterling Creek in Haywood County, North Carolina. It was built in 1980, so it is 45 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 50 vehicles a day, projected to reach 75 by 2045. The structure is 27 ft (8.2 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 620.7 mi (999 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNFSR 288
CrossesMt. Sterling Creek
Location10.3 Mi. from JCT.40
RouteFederal Lands Road 288.2
CountyHaywood County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.72171, -83.08244
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionDecember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating34.6 US tons
Inventory rating26.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadOther
Structure length27 ft (8.2 m)
Longest span26 ft (7.9 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.9 m)
Roadway width25 ft (7.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic50 (—)
Projected traffic75 by 2045
Trucks—
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed620.7 mi (999 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 288 over Mt. Sterling Creek built?

It was built in 1980, making it 45 years old in 2025.

What condition is NFSR 288 over Mt. Sterling 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 2023.

How much traffic does NFSR 288 over Mt. Sterling Creek carry?

About 50 vehicles per day (latest count).

How long is NFSR 288 over Mt. Sterling Creek?

The structure is 27 ft (8.2 m) long with a longest span of 26 ft (7.9 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns NFSR 288 over Mt. Sterling Creek?

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