US Bridges

SR1733 over Flat Creek

Poor

Buncombe County, North Carolina · .4 MI.W.JCT.SR1737 · Structure no. 000000000210065

Built
1959
66 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected October 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
27 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
2,000
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

SR1733 over Flat Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying SR1733 over Flat Creek in Buncombe County, North Carolina. It was built in 1959, so it is 66 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 poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. Its operating status is: open, would be posted or closed except for temporary shoring.

It carries about 2,000 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 4,000 by 2040. The structure is 27 ft (8.2 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 0.6 mi (1 km).

CarriesSR1733
CrossesFlat Creek
Location.4 MI.W.JCT.SR1737
RouteState Highway 1733
Coordinates35.73007, -82.5736
Functional classUrban Local

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionOctober 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, would be posted or closed except for temporary shoring
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating48.9 US tons
Inventory rating29 US tons

Structure

MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length27 ft (8.2 m)
Longest span26 ft (7.9 m)
Deck width20 ft (6.1 m)
Roadway width19 ft (5.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,000 (2022)
Projected traffic4,000 by 2040
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed0.6 mi (1 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was SR1733 over Flat Creek built?

It was built in 1959, making it 66 years old in 2025.

What condition is SR1733 over Flat Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in October 2024.

How much traffic does SR1733 over Flat Creek carry?

About 2,000 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is SR1733 over Flat Creek?

The structure is 27 ft (8.2 m) long with a longest span of 26 ft (7.9 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns SR1733 over Flat Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.