US Bridges

NC16 over SR1573

Fair

Ashe County, North Carolina · .7 MI.S.JCT.SR1543 · Structure no. 000000000090030

Built
1956
69 years old, rebuilt 2013
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
135 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
3,300
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

NC16 over SR1573 is a concrete tee beam carrying NC16 over SR1573 in Ashe County, North Carolina. It was built in 1956 and reconstructed in 2013, so it is 69 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 6 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 3,300 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 6,600 by 2040. The structure is 135 ft (41.1 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 0.6 mi (1 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNC16
CrossesSR1573
Location.7 MI.S.JCT.SR1543
RouteState Highway 16
CountyAshe County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates36.48736, -81.40627
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionApril 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating60 US tons
Inventory rating35.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 15
Structure length135 ft (41.1 m)
Longest span44 ft (13.4 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.1 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,300 (2022)
Projected traffic6,600 by 2040
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesOverpass structure at an interchange
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed0.6 mi (1 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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was NC16 over SR1573 built?

It was built in 1956, making it 69 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2013.

What condition is NC16 over SR1573 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 April 2024.

How much traffic does NC16 over SR1573 carry?

About 3,300 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is NC16 over SR1573?

The structure is 135 ft (41.1 m) long with a longest span of 44 ft (13.4 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns NC16 over SR1573?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.