US Bridges

Lake Ellen Drive over Booker Creek

Fair

Orange County, North Carolina · At Jct.Piney Mount Road · Structure no. 000000001350118

Built
1975
50 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2024
Type
Channel Beam
Prestressed Concrete
Length
25 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,000
1981 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Lake Ellen Drive over Booker Creek is a prestressed concrete channel beam carrying Lake Ellen Drive over Booker Creek in Orange County, North Carolina. It was built in 1975, so it is 50 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 1,000 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,000 by 2040. The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.8 mi (159 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesLake Ellen Drive
CrossesBooker Creek
LocationAt Jct.Piney Mount Road
RouteCity Street 0
CountyOrange County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.94567, -79.05096
Functional classUrban 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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionApril 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry5: 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 rating36.9 US tons
Inventory rating21.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length25 ft (7.6 m)
Longest span24 ft (7.3 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.2 m)
Roadway width29 ft (8.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,000 (1981)
Projected traffic2,000 by 2040
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed98.8 mi (159 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal 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 Lake Ellen Drive over Booker Creek built?

It was built in 1975, making it 50 years old in 2025.

What condition is Lake Ellen Drive over Booker 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 April 2024.

How much traffic does Lake Ellen Drive over Booker Creek carry?

About 1,000 vehicles per day (1981 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is Lake Ellen Drive over Booker Creek?

The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long with a longest span of 24 ft (7.3 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns Lake Ellen Drive over Booker Creek?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.