US Bridges

NC45 Ferry over Swan Quarter Bay

Fair

Hyde County, North Carolina · 0.36MI.N.JCT.NC45 SR1133 · Structure no. 000000000950120

Built
2001
24 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2023
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel
Length
128 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
300
2018 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

NC45 Ferry over Swan Quarter Bay is a steel girder and floorbeam system carrying NC45 Ferry over Swan Quarter Bay in Hyde County, North Carolina. It was built in 2001, so it is 24 years old, younger 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 300 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 600 by 2040. The structure is 128 ft (39 m) long and 21 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.8 mi (159 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNC45 Ferry
CrossesSwan Quarter Bay
Location0.36MI.N.JCT.NC45 SR1133
RouteState Highway 45
CountyHyde County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.39369, -76.32824
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
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 protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionMarch 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
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating54.9 US tons
Inventory rating33 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel
DeckSteel plate
Main spans1 (+2 approach)
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length128 ft (39 m)
Longest span49 ft (14.9 m)
Deck width21 ft (6.4 m)
Roadway width17 ft (5.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deck13 ft (4 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic300 (2018)
Projected traffic600 by 2040
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed98.8 mi (159 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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was NC45 Ferry over Swan Quarter Bay built?

It was built in 2001, making it 24 years old in 2025.

What condition is NC45 Ferry over Swan Quarter Bay 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 March 2023.

How much traffic does NC45 Ferry over Swan Quarter Bay carry?

About 300 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is NC45 Ferry over Swan Quarter Bay?

The structure is 128 ft (39 m) long with a longest span of 49 ft (14.9 m) and a deck 21 ft wide.

Who owns NC45 Ferry over Swan Quarter Bay?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.