US Bridges

Gashes Creek Road over Swannanoa River

Fair

Buncombe County, North Carolina · 100 Ft.S.Jct.Azalea Road · Structure no. 000000000210552

Built
1987
38 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
172 ft
6 main spans
Daily traffic
2,000
2022 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Gashes Creek Road over Swannanoa River is a concrete slab carrying Gashes Creek Road over Swannanoa River in Buncombe County, North Carolina. It was built in 1987, so it is 38 years old, younger 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 2,000 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 4,000 by 2040. The structure is 172 ft (52.4 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 0.6 mi (1 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesGashes Creek Road
CrossesSwannanoa River
Location100 Ft.S.Jct.Azalea Road
RouteCity Street 0
CountyBuncombe County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.58189, -82.49329
Functional classUrban Local

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.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJune 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating38.9 US tons
Inventory rating30 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans6
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length172 ft (52.4 m)
Longest span31 ft (9.4 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.6 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,000 (2022)
Projected traffic4,000 by 2040
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed0.6 mi (1 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal 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 Gashes Creek Road over Swannanoa River built?

It was built in 1987, making it 38 years old in 2025.

What condition is Gashes Creek Road over Swannanoa River 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 June 2024.

How much traffic does Gashes Creek Road over Swannanoa River carry?

About 2,000 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is Gashes Creek Road over Swannanoa River?

The structure is 172 ft (52.4 m) long with a longest span of 31 ft (9.4 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Gashes Creek Road over Swannanoa River?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.