Abandoned CSX Trestle over US-1, Moncure NC - Orphaned Bridges on Waymarking.com

A rail line carried passengers and freight to Pittsboro on a 10.5 mile spur, beginning in 1886. This brought considerable prosperity to the small town of Pittsboro. One-hundred years later, the line had become uneconomical due to improved roads in the area. The tracks and signal devices have been removed.

This bridge was constructed in the mid-1960's, when U.S. Highway 1 was relocated. It is only a few feet from the bridge which carries the Moncure School Road over the new 4-lane highway. There are several places in Chatham County where the new highway was routed under railroads and country roads.

The old railbed can be traced southward from this bridge for one mile, to the junction with the main line. It also can be followed north as it bends around tall hills enroute to Pittsboro. The tracks' path is very visible where it crosses Jordan Dam Road (SR1970). It is overgrown but visible on the south side of Gum Springs Church (on SR1943).

The highest elevation was at SR1969 (Charlie Brooks Rd) at 443 feet above sea level. From here, it ran north and entered Pittsboro near the present wastewater treatment plant. It terminated on the north side of East Street (Old US-64). The original railroad station has been torn down to make way for an office building called "Main Station".

For those who wish to retrace the route, here are the coordinates of the major road crossings:

N35 28.004, W79 05.244 Jordan Dam Road
N35 38.940, W79 06.880 Gum Springs Ch. Road
N35 40.230, W79 09.624 Charlie Brooks Road
N35 43.188, W79 10.368 "End of the line" in Pittsboro

Ownership of the railbed has reverted to the original land owners, or has been sold to commerical developers. The old railroad is not slated to be part of a "rails to trails" program. Therefore, this bridge will continue to stand silently and unused, perhaps for decades to come.

The former pathway of the tracks is another story. In some places, the well-graded route has been made into private roads and driveways. In other spots, it is being allowed to return to a natural state.

To reach this bridge from Highway US-1, take Exit 79 (Moncure-Pittsboro Road). Go north 0.1 mile and turn right on Jordan Dam Road. In 0.7 mile, you will see a distinctive break in vegetation where the old tracks crossed the road. Continue straight and turn right on Moncure School Road. Go 0.8 mile to the bridge on your right, at the overpass for US-1.

***You can walk onto the bridge, but exercise caution! There are no safety rails. Children should be closely supervised.***

Original Use: Railroad Construction: Concrete Condition: Good Date Built: Not listed See this website for more information: Not listed Date Abandoned: Not listed Bridge Status - Orphaned or Adopted.: Not listed

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Date Logged Log User Rating   12/24/2009 cobraamt visited it