US Bridges

US401S over Atlantic Ave.

Poor

Wake County, North Carolina · 0.1 Mi.N JCT SR2000 · Structure no. 000000001830172

Built
1955
70 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected October 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
150 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
15,500
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US401S over Atlantic Ave. is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying US401S over Atlantic Ave. in Wake 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 poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 15,500 vehicles a day, roughly 12% of them trucks, projected to reach 31,000 by 2040. The structure is 150 ft (45.7 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 0.6 mi (1 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesUS401S
CrossesAtlantic Ave.
Location0.1 Mi.N JCT SR2000
RouteU.S. Route 401
CountyWake County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.8015, -78.62489
Functional classUrban Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating56 US tons
Inventory rating34 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length150 ft (45.7 m)
Longest span72 ft (21.9 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.2 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic15,500 (2021)
Projected traffic31,000 by 2040
Trucks12%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesHighway
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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was US401S over Atlantic Ave. built?

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

What condition is US401S over Atlantic Ave. in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in October 2023.

How much traffic does US401S over Atlantic Ave. carry?

About 15,500 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 12% are trucks.

How long is US401S over Atlantic Ave.?

The structure is 150 ft (45.7 m) long with a longest span of 72 ft (21.9 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns US401S over Atlantic Ave.?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.