Nfsr 81C over Santeetlah Creek
Graham County, North Carolina · rated Fair in the 2025 National Bridge Inventory
United States Bridge Conditions2025 National Bridge Inventory, FHWACompiled
- Nfsr 81C over Santeetlah Creek in Graham County, North Carolina, is rated in fair condition in the 2025 National Bridge Inventory (as of ).
- Its lowest-rated component is the superstructure, rated 6 (satisfactory condition) on the 0-9 scale.
- It was built in 1982, making it 43 years old at the 2025 inventory.
- It carries about 50 vehicles a day.
- It is one of 60 of the 94 inventoried bridges in Graham County rated fair (63.8%); 3 (3.2%) are rated poor.
- Its traffic status in the 2025 inventory is open, no restriction (NBI item 41).
- It was rated good in the 2024 inventory and is now fair (superstructure 7 to 6).
- Its most recent inspection on record is dated August 2024, on a 24-month routine inspection cycle.
- It has fracture-critical members (NBI item 92A): steel tension members without a redundant load path, which get their own scheduled inspections.
- A fair rating means the lowest-rated major component scores 5 or 6 on FHWA's 0-9 scale: some deterioration or minor section loss, but the structure is sound. It is the middle class, not a warning.
View this bridge on a map → (35.33131, -84.01241)
Component ratings
| Component | Rating (2024) | Rating (2025) | FHWA scale meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck | 7 | 7 | Good condition |
| Superstructure | 7 | 6 | Satisfactory condition |
| Substructure | 7 | 7 | Good condition |
Bridge details
| Structure | Steel |
| Length | about 42 ft |
| Location | 1.4 Mi. From Jct W/ Fs 81 |
| NBI structure number | 081102000003046 |
| Condition class | Fair |
| Traffic status (item 41) | Open, no restriction |
| Last inspection (item 90) | August 2024 |
| Inspection interval (item 91) | 24 months |
| Scour (item 113) | 4: foundations stable, field review says exposed foundations need protection |
| Fracture critical (item 92A) | Yes |
Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2025 data as reported by the North Carolina department of transportation.
Busiest bridges in Graham County
| Bridge | Built | Vehicles/day | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| NC143 over Taulula Creek | 1976 | 7,100 | Fair |
| US129 NC14 over Long Creek | 1960 | 5,900 | Fair |
| NC143 over Sweetwater Creek | 1976 | 5,200 | Fair |
| NC143 over Sweetwater Creek | 1976 | 5,000 | Good |
| US129 over Cheoah River | 1967 | 3,700 | Fair |
| NC28 over Panther Creek | 1955 | 3,400 | Fair |
All bridges nearby: Graham County, NC bridge conditions · every bridge in Graham County · North Carolina bridges.
Background: how bridge ratings work · what "poor" and "structurally deficient" actually mean · how often bridges are inspected.