US Bridges

I-240 over Central Ave.

Fair

Buncombe County, North Carolina · 0.2 MI.E.JCT.US25 · Structure no. 000000000210384

Built
1958
67 years old, rebuilt 1989
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2025
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
140 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
65,500
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

I-240 over Central Ave. is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying I-240 over Central Ave. in Buncombe County, North Carolina. It was built in 1958 and reconstructed in 1989, so it is 67 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 65,500 vehicles a day, roughly 16% of them trucks, projected to reach 131,000 by 2040. The structure is 140 ft (42.6 m) long and 90 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesI-240
CrossesCentral Ave.
Location0.2 MI.E.JCT.US25
RouteInterstate 240
CountyBuncombe County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.59986, -82.55013
Functional classUrban Principal Arterial - Interstate

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.
Last inspectionFebruary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating77.9 US tons
Inventory rating46 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length140 ft (42.6 m)
Longest span53 ft (16.1 m)
Deck width90 ft (27.3 m)
Roadway width85 ft (26 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic65,500 (2020)
Projected traffic131,000 by 2040
Trucks16%
Lanes on structure6
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes
Strategic Highway NetworkInterstate STRAHNET route

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—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was I-240 over Central Ave. built?

It was built in 1958, making it 67 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1989.

What condition is I-240 over Central Ave. 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 February 2025.

How much traffic does I-240 over Central Ave. carry?

About 65,500 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 16% are trucks.

How long is I-240 over Central Ave.?

The structure is 140 ft (42.6 m) long with a longest span of 53 ft (16.1 m) and a deck 90 ft wide.

Who owns I-240 over Central Ave.?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.