BR-0029: Bridge No. 26 on N.C. 106 over Middle Creek in Macon County
BR-0029: Bridge No. 26 on N.C. 106 over Middle Creek in Macon County
Project Overview:
The NCDOT Structures Management Unit proposes to replace Bridge No. 26 on N.C. 106 over Middle Creek in Macon County. N.C. 106 is a two-lane, rural major collector, traveling northeast from Dillard, Georgia, through the study area, to Highland, North Carolina.
A Public Meeting was held in November 2018 to present and receive feedback on the preferred alternative. Since then, NCDOT has evaluated a potential realignment of Happy Hill Road.
Project Need:
Bridge No. 26 is approaching the end of its functional life and has a sufficiency rating* of 37.9 out of 100. In 2018, NCDOT bridge crews strengthened the beams of the bridge in order to extend the life of the structure. The maintenance performed was only a temporary improvement and does not remove the need to replace the bridge.
*Sufficiency rating" is a tool that is used to help determine whether a bridge that is structurally deficient or functionally obsolete should be repaired or just replaced. The sufficiency rating considers a number of factors, only about half of which relate to the condition of the bridge itself. The sufficiency ratings for bridges are part of a formula used by the Federal Highway Administration when it allocates federal funds to the states for bridge replacement.
Vicinity Map
Interactive Study Area Map
Proposed Design Change
The preferred alternative presented at the 2018 Public Meeting showed:
The new bridge being constructed directly north of the existing bridge
Happy Hill Road shifting slightly to the west
Based on the slope of the ground being too steep, Happy Hill Road will not be able to tie into N.C. 106 (Dillard Road) from its proposed location. NCDOT now proposes to:
Realign Happy Hill Road even further to the west in an effort to improve access to the Happy Hill community from N.C. 106 (Dillard Road)
Project Funding
| Estimated Amount* |
|---|---|
Right-of-Way | TBD |
Construction Costs | $2,850,000 |
Total Costs | TBD |
* Estimated costs are subject to change. Based on draft NCDOT STIP.
Project Timeline
Milestone | Date* |
|---|---|
Public Meeting | November 2018 |
Environmental Document | August 2019 |
Right-of-Way | Spring 2021 |
Construction | Spring 2022 |
* Future dates are preliminary and subject to change
Project Comments
Due to Covid-19, NCDOT has suspended in-person meetings until further notice.
The public is encouraged to leave any questions or comments using this website or the project email or phone number.
Project Email: nc106-bridge26@publicinput.com
Phone Number: 855-925-2801 enter code 7836
Do you have any comments or questions regarding the Happy Hill Road alignment design change?
Do you have any additional comments or questions regarding the proposed project?
Project Contact
David Stutts, PE
NCDOT Structures Management Unit
1581 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1581
nc106-bridge26@publicinput.com
855-925-2801 code 7836
Title VI Feedback
To ensure we’re hearing from a broad set of voices, would you be willing to share (completely anonymously) some information about yourself?
If so, please click here: https://publicinput.com/ncdot-title-vi-form
RESOURCES FOR PROPERTY OWNERS
Although the N.C. Department of Transportation works to minimize the number of homes and businesses displaced by a road project, it is inevitable, in many cases, that a certain amount of private property is needed. The following information explains right of way acquisition and answers questions about the process.
Right-of-Way Brochure Single Page Layout Folleto del Proceso de Adquisición de Bienes Raíces
Right-of-Way Frequently Asked Questions
Right of way Acquisition Process Videos
Page last updated: May 27, 2026
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