US Bridges

NC281 over Horsepasture River

Fair

Transylvania County, North Carolina · 1.6 MI.S.JCT.SR1177 · Structure no. 000000001750067

Built
1973
52 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
241 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
2,500
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

NC281 over Horsepasture River is a concrete tee beam carrying NC281 over Horsepasture River in Transylvania County, North Carolina. It was built in 1973, so it is 52 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 2,500 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 5,000 by 2040. The structure is 241 ft (73.4 m) long and 36 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 11.8 mi (19 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNC281
CrossesHorsepasture River
Location1.6 MI.S.JCT.SR1177
RouteState Highway 281
CountyTransylvania County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.09247, -82.97592
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
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 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 rating99 US tons
Inventory rating73 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length241 ft (73.4 m)
Longest span61 ft (18.5 m)
Deck width36 ft (11.1 m)
Roadway width33 ft (10 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,500 (2022)
Projected traffic5,000 by 2040
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed11.8 mi (19 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 NC281 over Horsepasture River built?

It was built in 1973, making it 52 years old in 2025.

What condition is NC281 over Horsepasture River 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 NC281 over Horsepasture River carry?

About 2,500 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is NC281 over Horsepasture River?

The structure is 241 ft (73.4 m) long with a longest span of 61 ft (18.5 m) and a deck 36 ft wide.

Who owns NC281 over Horsepasture River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.