US Bridges

US70 over Southern RR

Poor

Burke County, North Carolina · .1 MI.E.JCT.SR1620 · Structure no. 000000000230128

Built
1940
85 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected December 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
317 ft
7 main spans
Daily traffic
5,600
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US70 over Southern RR is a concrete tee beam carrying US70 over Southern RR in Burke County, North Carolina. It was built in 1940, so it is 85 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 poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 5,600 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 11,200 by 2040. The structure is 317 ft (96.6 m) long and 38 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 2.5 mi (4 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesUS70
CrossesSouthern RR
Location.1 MI.E.JCT.SR1620
RouteU.S. Route 70
CountyBurke County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.73166, -81.49049
Functional classUrban Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionDecember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating36.9 US tons
Inventory rating21.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans7
Design loadH 15
Structure length317 ft (96.6 m)
Longest span53 ft (16.1 m)
Deck width38 ft (11.6 m)
Roadway width32 ft (9.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic5,600 (2022)
Projected traffic11,200 by 2040
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed2.5 mi (4 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was US70 over Southern RR built?

It was built in 1940, making it 85 years old in 2025.

What condition is US70 over Southern RR in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in December 2023.

How much traffic does US70 over Southern RR carry?

About 5,600 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is US70 over Southern RR?

The structure is 317 ft (96.6 m) long with a longest span of 53 ft (16.1 m) and a deck 38 ft wide.

Who owns US70 over Southern RR?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.