US Bridges

IRR BIA RTE 456 over Raven Fork

Fair

Swain County, North Carolina · 7.5 KM NE of Cherokee Nc · Structure no. 00000000000S273

Built
1997
28 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2024
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel
Length
102 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
100
2024 count
Owner
Federal
Bureau of Indian Affairs

About this bridge

IRR BIA RTE 456 over Raven Fork is a steel girder and floorbeam system carrying IRR BIA RTE 456 over Raven Fork in Swain County, North Carolina. It was built in 1997, so it is 28 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 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 100 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 120 by 2044. The structure is 102 ft (31.1 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

CarriesIRR BIA RTE 456
CrossesRaven Fork
Location7.5 KM NE of Cherokee Nc
RouteFederal Lands Road 456
Coordinates35.53433, -83.2765
Functional classRural 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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionMarch 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating55 US tons
Inventory rating41.9 US tons

Structure

MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length102 ft (31.1 m)
Longest span100 ft (30.5 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.2 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic100 (2024)
Projected traffic120 by 2044
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerBureau of Indian Affairs
Maintained byBureau of Indian Affairs
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 IRR BIA RTE 456 over Raven Fork built?

It was built in 1997, making it 28 years old in 2025.

What condition is IRR BIA RTE 456 over Raven Fork 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 2024.

How much traffic does IRR BIA RTE 456 over Raven Fork carry?

About 100 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is IRR BIA RTE 456 over Raven Fork?

The structure is 102 ft (31.1 m) long with a longest span of 100 ft (30.5 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns IRR BIA RTE 456 over Raven Fork?

It is owned by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.