US Bridges

I-40 Wbl over Silver Creek

Fair

Burke County, North Carolina · .3 MI.E.I-40WBL SR1142 · Structure no. 000000000230120

Built
1956
69 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
250 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
17,500
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

I-40 Wbl over Silver Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying I-40 Wbl over Silver Creek in Burke County, North Carolina. It was built in 1956, so it is 69 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 17,500 vehicles a day, roughly 16% of them trucks, projected to reach 35,000 by 2040. The structure is 250 ft (76.2 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 0.6 mi (1 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesI-40 Wbl
CrossesSilver Creek
Location.3 MI.E.I-40WBL SR1142
RouteInterstate 40
CountyBurke County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.71866, -81.74406
Functional classUrban Principal Arterial - Interstate

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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJanuary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating61.9 US tons
Inventory rating36.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans5
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length250 ft (76.2 m)
Longest span48 ft (14.6 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.2 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic17,500 (2020)
Projected traffic35,000 by 2040
Trucks16%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed0.6 mi (1 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes
Strategic Highway NetworkInterstate STRAHNET route

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 I-40 Wbl over Silver Creek built?

It was built in 1956, making it 69 years old in 2025.

What condition is I-40 Wbl over Silver Creek 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 2024.

How much traffic does I-40 Wbl over Silver Creek carry?

About 17,500 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 16% are trucks.

How long is I-40 Wbl over Silver Creek?

The structure is 250 ft (76.2 m) long with a longest span of 48 ft (14.6 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns I-40 Wbl over Silver Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.