US Bridges

NC904 over Intracoastal Waterway

Fair

Brunswick County, North Carolina · 0.6 MI E JCT NC179 · Structure no. 000000000190013

Built
1984
41 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete
Length
1,897 ft
21 main spans
Daily traffic
12,000
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

NC904 over Intracoastal Waterway is a prestressed concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying NC904 over Intracoastal Waterway in Brunswick County, North Carolina. It was built in 1984, so it is 41 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 12,000 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 24,000 by 2040. The structure is 1,897 ft (578.2 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 20.5 mi (33 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNC904
CrossesIntracoastal Waterway
Location0.6 MI E JCT NC179
RouteState Highway 904
CountyBrunswick County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates33.89592, -78.4398
Functional classUrban 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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating99 US tons
Inventory rating59 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans21 (+2 approach)
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length1,897 ft (578.2 m)
Longest span118 ft (35.9 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.8 m)
Roadway width29 ft (8.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic12,000 (2021)
Projected traffic24,000 by 2040
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed20.5 mi (33 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—
NavigationNavigation control on waterway (bridge permit required)

Frequently asked questions

When was NC904 over Intracoastal Waterway built?

It was built in 1984, making it 41 years old in 2025.

What condition is NC904 over Intracoastal Waterway 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does NC904 over Intracoastal Waterway carry?

About 12,000 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is NC904 over Intracoastal Waterway?

The structure is 1,897 ft (578.2 m) long with a longest span of 118 ft (35.9 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns NC904 over Intracoastal Waterway?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.