US Bridges

NC71 over Raft Swamp

Fair

Robeson County, North Carolina · 0.5 Mi. N. Jct. SR17 · Structure no. 000000001550058

Built
2001
24 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Slab
Prestressed Concrete
Length
168 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
7,200
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

NC71 over Raft Swamp is a prestressed concrete slab carrying NC71 over Raft Swamp in Robeson 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 7,200 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 14,400 by 2040. The structure is 168 ft (51.2 m) long and 36 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNC71
CrossesRaft Swamp
Location0.5 Mi. N. Jct. SR17
RouteState Highway 71
CountyRobeson County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates34.84331, -79.14755
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
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMay 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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating79.9 US tons
Inventory rating47 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length168 ft (51.2 m)
Longest span54 ft (16.4 m)
Deck width36 ft (10.9 m)
Roadway width32 ft (9.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic7,200 (2022)
Projected traffic14,400 by 2040
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was NC71 over Raft Swamp built?

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

What condition is NC71 over Raft Swamp 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 May 2023.

How much traffic does NC71 over Raft Swamp carry?

About 7,200 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is NC71 over Raft Swamp?

The structure is 168 ft (51.2 m) long with a longest span of 54 ft (16.4 m) and a deck 36 ft wide.

Who owns NC71 over Raft Swamp?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.