US Bridges

NC197 over Ivy Creek

Fair

Buncombe County, North Carolina · .01 MI.N.JCT.SR2160 · Structure no. 000000000210044

Built
1930
95 years old, rebuilt 1958
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
144 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
6,100
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

NC197 over Ivy Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying NC197 over Ivy Creek in Buncombe County, North Carolina. It was built in 1930 and reconstructed in 1958, so it is 95 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 5 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 6,100 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 12,200 by 2040. The structure is 144 ft (43.8 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 13.7 mi (22 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNC197
CrossesIvy Creek
Location.01 MI.N.JCT.SR2160
RouteState Highway 197
CountyBuncombe County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.78396, -82.48803
Functional classRural Major 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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionNovember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating34.9 US tons
Inventory rating26.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 15
Structure length144 ft (43.8 m)
Longest span48 ft (14.6 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.5 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic6,100 (2022)
Projected traffic12,200 by 2040
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed13.7 mi (22 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—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was NC197 over Ivy Creek built?

It was built in 1930, making it 95 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1958.

What condition is NC197 over Ivy 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 November 2024.

How much traffic does NC197 over Ivy Creek carry?

About 6,100 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is NC197 over Ivy Creek?

The structure is 144 ft (43.8 m) long with a longest span of 48 ft (14.6 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns NC197 over Ivy Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.