US Bridges

Copperhead Road over Soco Creek

Fair

Swain County, North Carolina · Copperhead Road · Structure no. 00000000000T018

Built
1950
75 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2023
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel
Length
32 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
10
2019 count
Owner
Tribal
Indian Tribal Government

About this bridge

Copperhead Road over Soco Creek is a steel girder and floorbeam system carrying Copperhead Road over Soco Creek in Swain County, North Carolina. It was built in 1950, so it is 75 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 10 vehicles a day, projected to reach 12 by 2039. The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long and 12 ft wide.

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCopperhead Road
CrossesSoco Creek
LocationCopperhead Road
RouteFederal Lands Road 0
CountySwain County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.48497, -83.18949
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.
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 inspectionFebruary 2023
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 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 rating38 US tons
Inventory rating23 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length32 ft (9.8 m)
Longest span28 ft (8.5 m)
Deck width12 ft (3.7 m)
Roadway width12 ft (3.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deck0 ft (0 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic10 (2019)
Projected traffic12 by 2039
Trucks—
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-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$195,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Copperhead Road over Soco Creek built?

It was built in 1950, making it 75 years old in 2025.

What condition is Copperhead Road 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 Copperhead Road over Soco Creek carry?

About 10 vehicles per day (2019 count).

How long is Copperhead Road over Soco Creek?

The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long with a longest span of 28 ft (8.5 m) and a deck 12 ft wide.

Who owns Copperhead Road over Soco Creek?

It is owned by the Indian Tribal Government.