Blue Ridge Parkway over Laurel Fork
PoorClosed to trafficAshe County, North Carolina · 0.5 Miles from Nc Route 1 · Structure no. 5140159P0000000
- Built
- 1939
- 86 years old, rebuilt 1985
- Condition
- Poor
- inspected June 2021
- Type
- Girder and Floorbeam System
- Steel
- Length
- 546 ft
- 5 main spans
- Daily traffic
- 2,300
- 2013 count
- Owner
- Federal
- National Park Service
About this bridge
Blue Ridge Parkway over Laurel Fork is a steel girder and floorbeam system carrying Blue Ridge Parkway over Laurel Fork in Ashe County, North Carolina. It was built in 1939 and reconstructed in 1985, so it is 86 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. Its operating status is: closed to all traffic.
It carries about 2,300 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,530 by 2033. The structure is 546 ft (166.5 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 19.3 mi (31 km).
Location
Open in Google MapsCondition and inspection
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.
| Component | Rating | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Deck | 7 Good | Some minor problems. |
| Superstructure | 5 Fair | All primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour. |
| Substructure | 4 Poor | Advanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour. |
| Channel and channel protection | 7 Good | Some minor problems. |
Structure
Traffic and service
Ownership and planned work
Frequently asked questions
When was Blue Ridge Parkway over Laurel Fork built?
It was built in 1939, making it 86 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1985.
What condition is Blue Ridge Parkway over Laurel Fork 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 June 2021.
How much traffic does Blue Ridge Parkway over Laurel Fork carry?
About 2,300 vehicles per day (2013 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.
How long is Blue Ridge Parkway over Laurel Fork?
The structure is 546 ft (166.5 m) long with a longest span of 109 ft (33.3 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.
Who owns Blue Ridge Parkway over Laurel Fork?
It is owned by the National Park Service.