US Bridges

NFSR 294 over North Mills River

Fair

Henderson County, North Carolina · 75 S. Jct. Fs RD 1206 · Structure no. 081107000003097

Built
1939
86 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Arch - Deck
Concrete
Length
44 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
30
1980 count
Owner
Federal
U.S. Forest Service

About this bridge

NFSR 294 over North Mills River is a concrete arch - deck carrying NFSR 294 over North Mills River in Henderson County, North Carolina. It was built in 1939, so it is 86 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 30 vehicles a day, projected to reach 45 by 2045. The structure is 44 ft (13.4 m) long and 22 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.2 mi (158 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNFSR 294
CrossesNorth Mills River
Location75 S. Jct. Fs RD 1206
RouteFederal Lands Road 294
CountyHenderson County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.40672, -82.64902
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.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating20.4 US tons
Inventory rating15.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadOther
Structure length44 ft (13.4 m)
Longest span44 ft (13.4 m)
Deck width22 ft (6.6 m)
Roadway width19 ft (5.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic30 (1980)
Projected traffic45 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 294 over North Mills River built?

It was built in 1939, making it 86 years old in 2025.

What condition is NFSR 294 over North Mills River 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does NFSR 294 over North Mills River carry?

About 30 vehicles per day (1980 count).

How long is NFSR 294 over North Mills River?

The structure is 44 ft (13.4 m) long with a longest span of 44 ft (13.4 m) and a deck 22 ft wide.

Who owns NFSR 294 over North Mills River?

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