US Bridges

SR1223 over Catawba River

Fair

Burke County, North Carolina · .35 MI.E.JCT.SR1230 · Structure no. 000000000230045

Built
1966
59 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
431 ft
6 main spans
Daily traffic
900
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

SR1223 over Catawba River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying SR1223 over Catawba River in Burke County, North Carolina. It was built in 1966, so it is 59 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 5 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 900 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,800 by 2040. The structure is 431 ft (131.3 m) long and 36 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

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CarriesSR1223
CrossesCatawba River
Location.35 MI.E.JCT.SR1230
RouteState Highway 1223
CountyBurke County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.72833, -81.80835
Functional classRural Major 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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating74 US tons
Inventory rating45 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans6
Design loadHS 15
Structure length431 ft (131.3 m)
Longest span70 ft (21.3 m)
Deck width36 ft (11.1 m)
Roadway width34 ft (10.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic900 (2021)
Projected traffic1,800 by 2040
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 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—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was SR1223 over Catawba River built?

It was built in 1966, making it 59 years old in 2025.

What condition is SR1223 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does SR1223 over Catawba River carry?

About 900 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is SR1223 over Catawba River?

The structure is 431 ft (131.3 m) long with a longest span of 70 ft (21.3 m) and a deck 36 ft wide.

Who owns SR1223 over Catawba River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.