US Bridges

Blue Ridge Parkway over Linville River

Fair

Avery County, North Carolina · 0.8 Miles to U.S. Route 2 · Structure no. 5140106P0000000

Built
1940
85 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2023
Type
Arch - Deck
Concrete
Length
304 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
5,007
2019 count
Owner
Federal
National Park Service

About this bridge

Blue Ridge Parkway over Linville River is a concrete arch - deck carrying Blue Ridge Parkway over Linville River in Avery County, North Carolina. It was built in 1940, so it is 85 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 5,007 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 5,507 by 2039. The structure is 304 ft (92.8 m) long and 40 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBlue Ridge Parkway
CrossesLinville River
Location0.8 Miles to U.S. Route 2
RouteFederal Lands Road 1
CountyAvery County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.97345, -81.93678
Functional classRural Minor 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
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating37 US tons
Inventory rating22 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length304 ft (92.8 m)
Longest span101 ft (30.9 m)
Deck width40 ft (12.1 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic5,007 (2019)
Projected traffic5,507 by 2039
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$15,000 (2021 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Blue Ridge Parkway over Linville River built?

It was built in 1940, making it 85 years old in 2025.

What condition is Blue Ridge Parkway over Linville River 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 July 2023.

How much traffic does Blue Ridge Parkway over Linville River carry?

About 5,007 vehicles per day (2019 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Blue Ridge Parkway over Linville River?

The structure is 304 ft (92.8 m) long with a longest span of 101 ft (30.9 m) and a deck 40 ft wide.

Who owns Blue Ridge Parkway over Linville River?

It is owned by the National Park Service.