US Bridges

NFSR 471 over Catheys Creek

FairPosted for load

Transylvania County, North Carolina · 2.1 Mi. N. Jct. SR1138 · Structure no. 081107000003099

Built
1955
70 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Arch - Deck
Concrete
Length
46 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
15
1981 count
Owner
Federal
U.S. Forest Service

About this bridge

NFSR 471 over Catheys Creek is a concrete arch - deck carrying NFSR 471 over Catheys Creek in Transylvania 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 15 vehicles a day, projected to reach 22 by 2045. The structure is 46 ft (14 m) long and 14 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 24.9 mi (40 km).

Location

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CarriesNFSR 471
CrossesCatheys Creek
Location2.1 Mi. N. Jct. SR1138
RouteFederal Lands Road 471
CountyTransylvania County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.22709, -82.80421
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating12.5 US tons
Inventory rating9.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadOther
Structure length46 ft (14 m)
Longest span46 ft (14 m)
Deck width14 ft (4.3 m)
Roadway width12 ft (3.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic15 (1981)
Projected traffic22 by 2045
Trucks—
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed24.9 mi (40 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerU.S. Forest Service
Maintained byU.S. Forest Service
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was NFSR 471 over Catheys Creek built?

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

What condition is NFSR 471 over Catheys 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does NFSR 471 over Catheys Creek carry?

About 15 vehicles per day (1981 count).

How long is NFSR 471 over Catheys Creek?

The structure is 46 ft (14 m) long with a longest span of 46 ft (14 m) and a deck 14 ft wide.

Who owns NFSR 471 over Catheys Creek?

It is owned by the U.S. Forest Service.