US Bridges

Blue Ridge Parkway over Southern RR

Fair

Buncombe County, North Carolina · 0.2 Miles to U.S. Route 2 · Structure no. 5140121P0000000

Built
1967
58 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete Continuous
Length
156 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
6,200
2023 count
Owner
Federal
National Park Service

About this bridge

Blue Ridge Parkway over Southern RR is a prestressed concrete continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Blue Ridge Parkway over Southern RR in Buncombe County, North Carolina. It was built in 1967, so it is 58 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 6,200 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 6,820 by 2043. The structure is 156 ft (47.5 m) long and 36 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBlue Ridge Parkway
CrossesSouthern RR
Location0.2 Miles to U.S. Route 2
RouteFederal Lands Road 1
CountyBuncombe County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.52194, -82.52489
Functional classRural Minor 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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJuly 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating53 US tons
Inventory rating24 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length156 ft (47.5 m)
Longest span60 ft (18.3 m)
Deck width36 ft (10.9 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic6,200 (2023)
Projected traffic6,820 by 2043
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed5 mi (8 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerNational Park Service
Maintained byNational Park Service
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$45,000
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Blue Ridge Parkway over Southern RR built?

It was built in 1967, making it 58 years old in 2025.

What condition is Blue Ridge Parkway over Southern RR 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 July 2023.

How much traffic does Blue Ridge Parkway over Southern RR carry?

About 6,200 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Blue Ridge Parkway over Southern RR?

The structure is 156 ft (47.5 m) long with a longest span of 60 ft (18.3 m) and a deck 36 ft wide.

Who owns Blue Ridge Parkway over Southern RR?

It is owned by the National Park Service.