US Bridges

NC63 over Southern Railroad

Fair

Buncombe County, North Carolina · .5 MI.N.JCT.US19 23 · Structure no. 000000000210038

Built
1989
36 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
125 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
28,500
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

NC63 over Southern Railroad is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying NC63 over Southern Railroad in Buncombe County, North Carolina. It was built in 1989, so it is 36 years old, younger 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 28,500 vehicles a day, roughly 12% of them trucks, projected to reach 57,000 by 2040. The structure is 125 ft (38.1 m) long and 76 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5.6 mi (9 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNC63
CrossesSouthern Railroad
Location.5 MI.N.JCT.US19 23
RouteState Highway 63
CountyBuncombe County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.59069, -82.60342
Functional classUrban Other Principal Arterial

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.
Last inspectionOctober 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 typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length125 ft (38.1 m)
Longest span48 ft (14.6 m)
Deck width76 ft (23.3 m)
Roadway width64 ft (19.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic28,500 (2022)
Projected traffic57,000 by 2040
Trucks12%
Lanes on structure5
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed5.6 mi (9 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 NC63 over Southern Railroad built?

It was built in 1989, making it 36 years old in 2025.

What condition is NC63 over Southern Railroad 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 2024.

How much traffic does NC63 over Southern Railroad carry?

About 28,500 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 12% are trucks.

How long is NC63 over Southern Railroad?

The structure is 125 ft (38.1 m) long with a longest span of 48 ft (14.6 m) and a deck 76 ft wide.

Who owns NC63 over Southern Railroad?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.