US Bridges

SR3238 over Southern Railroad

Fair

Buncombe County, North Carolina · .2 MI.S.JCT.I-240 · Structure no. 000000000210744

Built
1977
48 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2025
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
133 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
19,000
2016 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

SR3238 over Southern Railroad is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying SR3238 over Southern Railroad in Buncombe County, North Carolina. It was built in 1977, so it is 48 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 19,000 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 38,000 by 2040. The structure is 133 ft (40.5 m) long and 70 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSR3238
CrossesSouthern Railroad
Location.2 MI.S.JCT.I-240
RouteState Highway 3238
CountyBuncombe County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.56633, -82.50943
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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJanuary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating62.9 US tons
Inventory rating36.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length133 ft (40.5 m)
Longest span47 ft (14.3 m)
Deck width70 ft (21.3 m)
Roadway width62 ft (18.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic19,000 (2016)
Projected traffic38,000 by 2040
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRailroad
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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was SR3238 over Southern Railroad built?

It was built in 1977, making it 48 years old in 2025.

What condition is SR3238 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 January 2025.

How much traffic does SR3238 over Southern Railroad carry?

About 19,000 vehicles per day (2016 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is SR3238 over Southern Railroad?

The structure is 133 ft (40.5 m) long with a longest span of 47 ft (14.3 m) and a deck 70 ft wide.

Who owns SR3238 over Southern Railroad?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.