US Bridges

US421 over Great Coharie Creek

Fair

Sampson County, North Carolina · 0.5 Mi. N. Jct. SR1842 · Structure no. 000000001630029

Built
1920
105 years old, rebuilt 1955
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
72 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
7,000
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US421 over Great Coharie Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying US421 over Great Coharie Creek in Sampson County, North Carolina. It was built in 1920 and reconstructed in 1955, so it is 105 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 7,000 vehicles a day, roughly 14% of them trucks, projected to reach 14,000 by 2040. The structure is 72 ft (21.9 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 2.5 mi (4 km).

CarriesUS421
CrossesGreat Coharie Creek
Location0.5 Mi. N. Jct. SR1842
RouteU.S. Route 421
Coordinates35.04673, -78.3666
Functional classRural Principal Arterial - Other

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.
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 inspectionJuly 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
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 rating59 US tons
Inventory rating35.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadH 15
Structure length72 ft (21.9 m)
Longest span34 ft (10.3 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.5 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic7,000 (2021)
Projected traffic14,000 by 2040
Trucks14%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed2.5 mi (4 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 US421 over Great Coharie Creek built?

It was built in 1920, making it 105 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1955.

What condition is US421 over Great Coharie 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 July 2024.

How much traffic does US421 over Great Coharie Creek carry?

About 7,000 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 14% are trucks.

How long is US421 over Great Coharie Creek?

The structure is 72 ft (21.9 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.3 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns US421 over Great Coharie Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.