US Bridges

Blue Ridge Parkway over Stack Rock Creek

Fair

Avery County, North Carolina · 0.51 Miles from U.S. Rout · Structure no. 5140183P0000000

Built
1975
50 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2023
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel
Length
284 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
2,300
2023 count
Owner
Federal
National Park Service

About this bridge

Blue Ridge Parkway over Stack Rock Creek is a steel girder and floorbeam system carrying Blue Ridge Parkway over Stack Rock Creek in Avery County, North Carolina. It was built in 1975, so it is 50 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 2,300 vehicles a day, roughly 20% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,530 by 2043. The structure is 284 ft (86.6 m) long and 38 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 9.9 mi (16 km).

Location

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CarriesBlue Ridge Parkway
CrossesStack Rock Creek
Location0.51 Miles from U.S. Rout
RouteFederal Lands Road 1
CountyAvery County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates36.09028, -81.82067
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionJuly 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating73 US tons
Inventory rating44 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2 (+2 approach)
Design loadH 15
Structure length284 ft (86.6 m)
Longest span140 ft (42.7 m)
Deck width38 ft (11.6 m)
Roadway width34 ft (10.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,300 (2023)
Projected traffic2,530 by 2043
Trucks20%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed9.9 mi (16 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—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Blue Ridge Parkway over Stack Rock Creek built?

It was built in 1975, making it 50 years old in 2025.

What condition is Blue Ridge Parkway over Stack Rock 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 July 2023.

How much traffic does Blue Ridge Parkway over Stack Rock Creek carry?

About 2,300 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 20% are trucks.

How long is Blue Ridge Parkway over Stack Rock Creek?

The structure is 284 ft (86.6 m) long with a longest span of 140 ft (42.7 m) and a deck 38 ft wide.

Who owns Blue Ridge Parkway over Stack Rock Creek?

It is owned by the National Park Service.