US Bridges

NFSR 472 over Lower Creek

FairPosted for load

Yancey County, North Carolina · 2.2 Mi. S. Jct. Fs 482 · Structure no. 081108000003135

Built
1953
72 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
30 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
20
1980 count
Owner
Federal
U.S. Forest Service

About this bridge

NFSR 472 over Lower Creek is a concrete slab carrying NFSR 472 over Lower Creek in Yancey County, North Carolina. It was built in 1953, so it is 72 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 20 vehicles a day, projected to reach 30 by 2045. The structure is 30 ft (9.1 m) long and 14 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 10.6 mi (17 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNFSR 472
CrossesLower Creek
Location2.2 Mi. S. Jct. Fs 482
RouteFederal Lands Road 472.4
CountyYancey County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.73368, -82.23511
Functional classRural Local

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.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionAugust 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating13.6 US tons
Inventory rating10.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadOther
Structure length30 ft (9.1 m)
Longest span14 ft (4.4 m)
Deck width14 ft (4.2 m)
Roadway width12 ft (3.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic20 (1980)
Projected traffic30 by 2045
Trucks—
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed10.6 mi (17 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerU.S. Forest Service
Maintained byU.S. Forest Service
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was NFSR 472 over Lower Creek built?

It was built in 1953, making it 72 years old in 2025.

What condition is NFSR 472 over Lower 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 August 2024.

How much traffic does NFSR 472 over Lower Creek carry?

About 20 vehicles per day (1980 count).

How long is NFSR 472 over Lower Creek?

The structure is 30 ft (9.1 m) long with a longest span of 14 ft (4.4 m) and a deck 14 ft wide.

Who owns NFSR 472 over Lower Creek?

It is owned by the U.S. Forest Service.