US Bridges

SR1338 over Smith Mill Creek

Fair

Buncombe County, North Carolina · .4 MI.E.JCT.SR1350 · Structure no. 000000000210726

Built
1922
103 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
46 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
4,800
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

SR1338 over Smith Mill Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying SR1338 over Smith Mill Creek in Buncombe County, North Carolina. It was built in 1922, so it is 103 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 4,800 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 9,600 by 2040. The structure is 46 ft (14 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

CarriesSR1338
CrossesSmith Mill Creek
Location.4 MI.E.JCT.SR1350
RouteState Highway 1338
Coordinates35.59559, -82.57563
Functional classUrban Collector

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.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating48.9 US tons
Inventory rating29 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length46 ft (14 m)
Longest span44 ft (13.4 m)
Deck width20 ft (6.1 m)
Roadway width18 ft (5.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deck10 ft (3.2 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic4,800 (2022)
Projected traffic9,600 by 2040
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was SR1338 over Smith Mill Creek built?

It was built in 1922, making it 103 years old in 2025.

What condition is SR1338 over Smith Mill Creek 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 October 2024.

How much traffic does SR1338 over Smith Mill Creek carry?

About 4,800 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is SR1338 over Smith Mill Creek?

The structure is 46 ft (14 m) long with a longest span of 44 ft (13.4 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns SR1338 over Smith Mill Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.