US Bridges

US74A over Cane Creek

Fair

Buncombe County, North Carolina · .03 MI.E.JCT.SR3136 · Structure no. 000000000210125

Built
1922
103 years old, rebuilt 1956
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
84 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
10,500
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US74A over Cane Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying US74A over Cane Creek in Buncombe County, North Carolina. It was built in 1922 and reconstructed in 1956, so it is 103 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 10,500 vehicles a day, roughly 12% of them trucks, projected to reach 21,000 by 2040. The structure is 84 ft (25.6 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesUS74A
CrossesCane Creek
Location.03 MI.E.JCT.SR3136
RouteU.S. Route 74
CountyBuncombe County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.5175, -82.40193
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.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionNovember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
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 rating44 US tons
Inventory rating25.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadH 15
Structure length84 ft (25.6 m)
Longest span41 ft (12.4 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.2 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic10,500 (2022)
Projected traffic21,000 by 2040
Trucks12%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 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 US74A over Cane Creek built?

It was built in 1922, making it 103 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1956.

What condition is US74A over Cane 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 US74A over Cane Creek carry?

About 10,500 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 12% are trucks.

How long is US74A over Cane Creek?

The structure is 84 ft (25.6 m) long with a longest span of 41 ft (12.4 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns US74A over Cane Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.