US Bridges

Montford Avenue over I-240

PoorPosted for load

Buncombe County, North Carolina · .5 MI.S.JCT.I-240 W US70 · Structure no. 000000000210368

Built
1959
66 years old, rebuilt 1988
Condition
Poor
inspected January 2025
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
165 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
7,200
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Montford Avenue over I-240 is a concrete tee beam carrying Montford Avenue over I-240 in Buncombe County, North Carolina. It was built in 1959 and reconstructed in 1988, 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: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 7,200 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 14,400 by 2040. The structure is 165 ft (50.2 m) long and 56 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesMontford Avenue
CrossesI-240
Location.5 MI.S.JCT.I-240 W US70
RouteCity Street 0
CountyBuncombe County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.59665, -82.55961
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionJanuary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating34.9 US tons
Inventory rating20.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length165 ft (50.2 m)
Longest span43 ft (13.1 m)
Deck width56 ft (17.1 m)
Roadway width44 ft (13.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic7,200 (2022)
Projected traffic14,400 by 2040
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Montford Avenue over I-240 built?

It was built in 1959, making it 66 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1988.

What condition is Montford Avenue over I-240 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 January 2025.

How much traffic does Montford Avenue over I-240 carry?

About 7,200 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is Montford Avenue over I-240?

The structure is 165 ft (50.2 m) long with a longest span of 43 ft (13.1 m) and a deck 56 ft wide.

Who owns Montford Avenue over I-240?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.