US Bridges

NC181 over Catawba River

Fair

Burke County, North Carolina · .05 MI.N.JCT.SR1443 · Structure no. 000000000230030

Built
1965
60 years old, rebuilt 2013
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
373 ft
6 main spans
Daily traffic
21,500
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

NC181 over Catawba River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying NC181 over Catawba River in Burke County, North Carolina. It was built in 1965 and reconstructed in 2013, so it is 60 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 21,500 vehicles a day, roughly 12% of them trucks, projected to reach 43,000 by 2040. The structure is 373 ft (113.6 m) long and 60 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesNC181
CrossesCatawba River
Location.05 MI.N.JCT.SR1443
RouteState Highway 181
CountyBurke County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.74986, -81.70532
Functional classUrban Other Principal Arterial

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.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionDecember 2023
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 alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating71 US tons
Inventory rating42 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans6
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length373 ft (113.6 m)
Longest span61 ft (18.5 m)
Deck width60 ft (18.3 m)
Roadway width52 ft (15.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic21,500 (2022)
Projected traffic43,000 by 2040
Trucks12%
Lanes on structure5
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
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 NC181 over Catawba River built?

It was built in 1965, making it 60 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2013.

What condition is NC181 over Catawba 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 December 2023.

How much traffic does NC181 over Catawba River carry?

About 21,500 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 12% are trucks.

How long is NC181 over Catawba River?

The structure is 373 ft (113.6 m) long with a longest span of 61 ft (18.5 m) and a deck 60 ft wide.

Who owns NC181 over Catawba River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.