Mebane Oaks Road Haw Creek Bridge

This bridge, while certainly not exceptional as bridges go, is a notable one in this county, where the NCDOT has eradicated the many truss bridges that used to cross the creeks and the Haw River. Considering this policy, I'm surprised this one is still here. The road is heavily traveled, including by large trucks, many of which probably exceed the weight limit. Most drivers probably think they're crossing a culvert, due to the paved-over deck. However, when you climb down to the creek you'll find that it's a pretty interesting structure, but also a neglected one. It's a throwback to a time when this road was probably really remote, and not a mile from two Interstates. The deck may be original; it looks like local Southern Yellow Pine, older growth. There are a lot of beams holding the roadway up, but the bolts appear to be rusted severely. The abutments appear to be relatively sturdy, with the cross beams resting on modern pressure treated square columns and solid concrete. The condition of the original columns is scary, as a few are halfway rotted through. The wooden retaining walls of the abutments are also rotting. I admit that it probably needs to be replaced, but it will be a shame to lose one of the few remaining bridges in the county for a tasteless slab. The detour will be a nightmare too!