US Bridges

I-240 Wbl over Southern Railroad

Fair

Buncombe County, North Carolina · .2 MI.W.JCT.I-40 · Structure no. 000000000210510

Built
1978
47 years old, rebuilt 2012
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2025
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
353 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
28,500
2015 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

I-240 Wbl over Southern Railroad is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying I-240 Wbl over Southern Railroad in Buncombe County, North Carolina. It was built in 1978 and reconstructed in 2012, so it is 47 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 28,500 vehicles a day, roughly 16% of them trucks, projected to reach 57,000 by 2040. The structure is 353 ft (107.5 m) long and 42 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesI-240 Wbl
CrossesSouthern Railroad
Location.2 MI.W.JCT.I-40
RouteInterstate 240
CountyBuncombe County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.56722, -82.49894
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.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionFebruary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating45 US tons
Inventory rating26.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length353 ft (107.5 m)
Longest span107 ft (32.6 m)
Deck width42 ft (12.8 m)
Roadway width40 ft (12.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic28,500 (2015)
Projected traffic57,000 by 2040
Trucks16%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRailroad
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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was I-240 Wbl over Southern Railroad built?

It was built in 1978, making it 47 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2012.

What condition is I-240 Wbl over Southern Railroad 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 Wbl over Southern Railroad carry?

About 28,500 vehicles per day (2015 count), of which roughly 16% are trucks.

How long is I-240 Wbl over Southern Railroad?

The structure is 353 ft (107.5 m) long with a longest span of 107 ft (32.6 m) and a deck 42 ft wide.

Who owns I-240 Wbl over Southern Railroad?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.