US Bridges

Blue Ridge Parkway over Big Pine Creek

Poor

Alleghany County, North Carolina · 1.3 Miles from Nc Route 1 · Structure no. 5140077P0000000

Built
1938
87 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected July 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
70 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
1,347
2013 count
Owner
Federal
National Park Service

About this bridge

Blue Ridge Parkway over Big Pine Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying Blue Ridge Parkway over Big Pine Creek in Alleghany County, North Carolina. It was built in 1938, so it is 87 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 poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 1,347 vehicles a day, roughly 13% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,482 by 2033. The structure is 70 ft (21.3 m) long and 37 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 24.9 mi (40 km).

CarriesBlue Ridge Parkway
CrossesBig Pine Creek
Location1.3 Miles from Nc Route 1
RouteFederal Lands Road 1
Coordinates36.49695, -80.96453
Functional classRural Minor Collector

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJuly 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating36 US tons
Inventory rating20.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length70 ft (21.3 m)
Longest span27 ft (8.1 m)
Deck width37 ft (11.2 m)
Roadway width33 ft (10.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,347 (2013)
Projected traffic1,482 by 2033
Trucks13%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed24.9 mi (40 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerNational Park Service
Maintained byNational Park Service
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedOther structural work, including hydraulic replacements
Estimated improvement cost$3.5 million (2017 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Blue Ridge Parkway over Big Pine Creek built?

It was built in 1938, making it 87 years old in 2025.

What condition is Blue Ridge Parkway over Big Pine Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in July 2023.

How much traffic does Blue Ridge Parkway over Big Pine Creek carry?

About 1,347 vehicles per day (2013 count), of which roughly 13% are trucks.

How long is Blue Ridge Parkway over Big Pine Creek?

The structure is 70 ft (21.3 m) long with a longest span of 27 ft (8.1 m) and a deck 37 ft wide.

Who owns Blue Ridge Parkway over Big Pine Creek?

It is owned by the National Park Service.