US Bridges

US70 E over Little River

Fair

Wayne County, North Carolina · 0.1 Mi.E. of JCT.SR1326 · Structure no. 000000001910012

Built
1926
99 years old, rebuilt 1948
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
170 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
11,000
2018 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US70 E over Little River is a concrete tee beam carrying US70 E over Little River in Wayne County, North Carolina. It was built in 1926 and reconstructed in 1948, so it is 99 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 11,000 vehicles a day, roughly 12% of them trucks, projected to reach 22,000 by 2040. The structure is 170 ft (51.8 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 0.6 mi (1 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesUS70 E
CrossesLittle River
Location0.1 Mi.E. of JCT.SR1326
RouteU.S. Route 70
CountyWayne County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.40291, -78.02127
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
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.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionFebruary 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
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 rating48 US tons
Inventory rating29 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadHS 15
Structure length170 ft (51.8 m)
Longest span42 ft (12.8 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.1 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic11,000 (2018)
Projected traffic22,000 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
Strategic Highway NetworkNon-Interstate STRAHNET route

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 US70 E over Little River built?

It was built in 1926, making it 99 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1948.

What condition is US70 E over Little River 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 February 2023.

How much traffic does US70 E over Little River carry?

About 11,000 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 12% are trucks.

How long is US70 E over Little River?

The structure is 170 ft (51.8 m) long with a longest span of 42 ft (12.8 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns US70 E over Little River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.