US Bridges

US401N over Swift Creek

Fair

Wake County, North Carolina · 0.3 Mi. N. Jct. SR1446 · Structure no. 000000001830086

Built
1965
60 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
120 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
14,750
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US401N over Swift Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying US401N over Swift Creek in Wake County, North Carolina. It was built in 1965, so it is 60 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.

It carries about 14,750 vehicles a day, roughly 12% of them trucks, projected to reach 29,500 by 2040. The structure is 120 ft (36.5 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 0.6 mi (1 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesUS401N
CrossesSwift Creek
Location0.3 Mi. N. Jct. SR1446
RouteU.S. Route 401
CountyWake County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.68743, -78.6809
Functional classUrban Other Principal 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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating50.9 US tons
Inventory rating30 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length120 ft (36.5 m)
Longest span39 ft (11.8 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.1 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic14,750 (2021)
Projected traffic29,500 by 2040
Trucks12%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed0.6 mi (1 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

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 US401N over Swift Creek built?

It was built in 1965, making it 60 years old in 2025.

What condition is US401N over Swift 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 US401N over Swift Creek carry?

About 14,750 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 12% are trucks.

How long is US401N over Swift Creek?

The structure is 120 ft (36.5 m) long with a longest span of 39 ft (11.8 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns US401N over Swift Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.