US Bridges

Lee Bird Lane over Soco Creek

Fair

Swain County, North Carolina · Lee Bird Lane · Structure no. 00000000000T009

Built
1955
70 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2023
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel
Length
60 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
30
2019 count
Owner
Tribal
Indian Tribal Government

About this bridge

Lee Bird Lane over Soco Creek is a steel girder and floorbeam system carrying Lee Bird Lane over Soco Creek in Swain County, North Carolina. It was built in 1955, so it is 70 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 30 vehicles a day, projected to reach 36 by 2039. The structure is 60 ft (18.3 m) long and 16 ft wide.

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesLee Bird Lane
CrossesSoco Creek
LocationLee Bird Lane
RouteFederal Lands Road 0
CountySwain County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.46927, -83.23044
Functional classRural Minor 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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionFebruary 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating22 US tons
Inventory rating17 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length60 ft (18.3 m)
Longest span57 ft (17.4 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width15 ft (4.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deck10 ft (3.2 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic30 (2019)
Projected traffic36 by 2039
Trucks—
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed—
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerIndian Tribal Government
Maintained byIndian Tribal Government
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$105,000 (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Lee Bird Lane over Soco Creek built?

It was built in 1955, making it 70 years old in 2025.

What condition is Lee Bird Lane over Soco 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 February 2023.

How much traffic does Lee Bird Lane over Soco Creek carry?

About 30 vehicles per day (2019 count).

How long is Lee Bird Lane over Soco Creek?

The structure is 60 ft (18.3 m) long with a longest span of 57 ft (17.4 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Lee Bird Lane over Soco Creek?

It is owned by the Indian Tribal Government.