US Bridges

NC50 over US70

Fair

Wake County, North Carolina · 0.3 Mi. S. Jct. SR1004 · Structure no. 000000001830069

Built
1952
73 years old, rebuilt 1962
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
212 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
12,500
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

NC50 over US70 is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying NC50 over US70 in Wake County, North Carolina. It was built in 1952 and reconstructed in 1962, so it is 73 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 12,500 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 25,000 by 2040. The structure is 212 ft (64.6 m) long and 51 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 0.6 mi (1 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNC50
CrossesUS70
Location0.3 Mi. S. Jct. SR1004
RouteState Highway 50
CountyWake County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.70652, -78.61347
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
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
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating47 US tons
Inventory rating28 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadH 15
Structure length212 ft (64.6 m)
Longest span65 ft (19.8 m)
Deck width51 ft (15.6 m)
Roadway width41 ft (12.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic12,500 (2021)
Projected traffic25,000 by 2040
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure3
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesOverpass structure at an interchange
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed0.6 mi (1 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—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was NC50 over US70 built?

It was built in 1952, making it 73 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1962.

What condition is NC50 over US70 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does NC50 over US70 carry?

About 12,500 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is NC50 over US70?

The structure is 212 ft (64.6 m) long with a longest span of 65 ft (19.8 m) and a deck 51 ft wide.

Who owns NC50 over US70?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.