US Bridges

I-240 over I-40

Fair

Buncombe County, North Carolina · .3 MI.E.JCT.US74 · Structure no. 000000000210516

Built
1978
47 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
412 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
15,000
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

I-240 over I-40 is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying I-240 over I-40 in Buncombe County, North Carolina. It was built in 1978, 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 15,000 vehicles a day, roughly 16% of them trucks, projected to reach 30,000 by 2040. The structure is 412 ft (125.5 m) long and 42 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 0.6 mi (1 km).

Location

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CarriesI-240
CrossesI-40
Location.3 MI.E.JCT.US74
RouteInterstate 240
CountyBuncombe County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.56683, -82.49765
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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionNovember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating49.9 US tons
Inventory rating18 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length412 ft (125.5 m)
Longest span122 ft (37.1 m)
Deck width42 ft (12.8 m)
Roadway width40 ft (12.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic15,000 (2022)
Projected traffic30,000 by 2040
Trucks16%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed0.6 mi (1 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 I-40 built?

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

What condition is I-240 over I-40 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 2023.

How much traffic does I-240 over I-40 carry?

About 15,000 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 16% are trucks.

How long is I-240 over I-40?

The structure is 412 ft (125.5 m) long with a longest span of 122 ft (37.1 m) and a deck 42 ft wide.

Who owns I-240 over I-40?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.