US Bridges

US64 NC18 over Catawba River

Fair

Burke County, North Carolina · .1 MI.W.JCT.SR1593 · Structure no. 000000000230080

Built
1994
31 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete
Length
437 ft
6 main spans
Daily traffic
13,000
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US64 NC18 over Catawba River is a prestressed concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying US64 NC18 over Catawba River in Burke County, North Carolina. It was built in 1994, so it is 31 years old, younger 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 13,000 vehicles a day, roughly 12% of them trucks, projected to reach 26,000 by 2040. The structure is 437 ft (133.1 m) long and 35 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 0.6 mi (1 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesUS64 NC18
CrossesCatawba River
Location.1 MI.W.JCT.SR1593
RouteU.S. Route 64
CountyBurke County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.77206, -81.68998
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 above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating99 US tons
Inventory rating39.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans6
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length437 ft (133.1 m)
Longest span72 ft (21.9 m)
Deck width35 ft (10.7 m)
Roadway width31 ft (9.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic13,000 (2022)
Projected traffic26,000 by 2040
Trucks12%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed0.6 mi (1 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

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 US64 NC18 over Catawba River built?

It was built in 1994, making it 31 years old in 2025.

What condition is US64 NC18 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 US64 NC18 over Catawba River carry?

About 13,000 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 12% are trucks.

How long is US64 NC18 over Catawba River?

The structure is 437 ft (133.1 m) long with a longest span of 72 ft (21.9 m) and a deck 35 ft wide.

Who owns US64 NC18 over Catawba River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.