US Bridges

NC42 over Middle Creek

Fair

Wake County, North Carolina · 0.9 Mi. W. Jct. SR2736 · Structure no. 000000001830023

Built
1947
78 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
175 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
9,600
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

NC42 over Middle Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying NC42 over Middle Creek in Wake County, North Carolina. It was built in 1947, so it is 78 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 9,600 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 19,200 by 2040. The structure is 175 ft (53.3 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 2.5 mi (4 km).

Location

No coordinates are recorded for this structure.

CarriesNC42
CrossesMiddle Creek
Location0.9 Mi. W. Jct. SR2736
RouteState Highway 42
CountyWake County
StateNorth Carolina
Functional classUrban Minor Arterial

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.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionApril 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating48 US tons
Inventory rating29 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans5
Design loadHS 15
Structure length175 ft (53.3 m)
Longest span34 ft (10.3 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.6 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic9,600 (2021)
Projected traffic19,200 by 2040
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed2.5 mi (4 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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was NC42 over Middle Creek built?

It was built in 1947, making it 78 years old in 2025.

What condition is NC42 over Middle 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 April 2023.

How much traffic does NC42 over Middle Creek carry?

About 9,600 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is NC42 over Middle Creek?

The structure is 175 ft (53.3 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.3 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns NC42 over Middle Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.