US Bridges

NC197 over North Fork Ivy Creek

Fair

Buncombe County, North Carolina · .01 MI.S.JCT.SR1003 · Structure no. 000000000210078

Built
1950
75 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
64 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
4,000
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

NC197 over North Fork Ivy Creek is a concrete slab carrying NC197 over North Fork Ivy Creek in Buncombe County, North Carolina. It was built in 1950, so it is 75 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 4,000 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 8,000 by 2040. The structure is 64 ft (19.5 m) long and 40 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 18.6 mi (30 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNC197
CrossesNorth Fork Ivy Creek
Location.01 MI.S.JCT.SR1003
RouteState Highway 197
CountyBuncombe County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.77788, -82.45883
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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; scour within limits of footing or piles
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 rating30 US tons
Inventory rating22.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 15
Structure length64 ft (19.5 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.1 m)
Deck width40 ft (12.2 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic4,000 (2022)
Projected traffic8,000 by 2040
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed18.6 mi (30 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 North Fork Ivy Creek built?

It was built in 1950, making it 75 years old in 2025.

What condition is NC197 over North Fork 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 North Fork Ivy Creek carry?

About 4,000 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is NC197 over North Fork Ivy Creek?

The structure is 64 ft (19.5 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a deck 40 ft wide.

Who owns NC197 over North Fork Ivy Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.