US Bridges

NC18 over Piney Fork Creek

Fair

Alleghany County, North Carolina · .1 MI.S.JCT.NC88 · Structure no. 000000000050016

Built
1950
75 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2024
Type
Culvert
Concrete Continuous
Length
53 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
1,000
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

NC18 over Piney Fork Creek is a concrete continuous culvert carrying NC18 over Piney Fork Creek in Alleghany County, North Carolina. It was built in 1950, so it is 75 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 5 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

It carries about 1,000 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,000 by 2040. The structure is 53 ft (16.1 m) long. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.8 mi (11 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNC18
CrossesPiney Fork Creek
Location.1 MI.S.JCT.NC88
RouteState Highway 18
CountyAlleghany County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates36.41147, -81.26427
Functional classRural Major Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Culvert5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionJune 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating60 US tons
Inventory rating46 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckNot applicable
Main spans5
Design loadH 15
Structure length53 ft (16.1 m)
Longest span10 ft (3 m)
Deck width0 ft (0 m)
Roadway width0 ft (0 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,000 (2022)
Projected traffic2,000 by 2040
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.8 mi (11 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was NC18 over Piney Fork Creek built?

It was built in 1950, making it 75 years old in 2025.

What condition is NC18 over Piney Fork 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 June 2024.

How much traffic does NC18 over Piney Fork Creek carry?

About 1,000 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is NC18 over Piney Fork Creek?

The structure is 53 ft (16.1 m) long with a longest span of 10 ft (3 m).

Who owns NC18 over Piney Fork Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.