US Bridges

NC42 over Little River

Fair

Johnston County, North Carolina · 0.6 Mi. W. Jct. NC39 · Structure no. 000000001010104

Built
1939
86 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
149 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
4,700
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

NC42 over Little River is a concrete tee beam carrying NC42 over Little River in Johnston 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 4,700 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 9,400 by 2040. The structure is 149 ft (45.4 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 0.6 mi (1 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNC42
CrossesLittle River
Location0.6 Mi. W. Jct. NC39
RouteState Highway 42
CountyJohnston County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.66671, -78.25865
Functional classRural Minor Arterial

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 inspectionJuly 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
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 rating51.9 US tons
Inventory rating31 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length149 ft (45.4 m)
Longest span49 ft (14.9 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.2 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic4,700 (2021)
Projected traffic9,400 by 2040
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed0.6 mi (1 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 NC42 over Little River built?

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

What condition is NC42 over Little 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 July 2023.

How much traffic does NC42 over Little River carry?

About 4,700 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is NC42 over Little River?

The structure is 149 ft (45.4 m) long with a longest span of 49 ft (14.9 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns NC42 over Little River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.