US Bridges

NC73 over Cold Water Creek

Fair

Cabarrus County, North Carolina · 0.2 Mi. E. Jct. SR2407 · Structure no. 000000000250104

Built
1924
101 years old, rebuilt 1954
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
127 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
12,500
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

NC73 over Cold Water Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying NC73 over Cold Water Creek in Cabarrus County, North Carolina. It was built in 1924 and reconstructed in 1954, so it is 101 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 12,500 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 25,000 by 2040. The structure is 127 ft (38.7 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 2.5 mi (4 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNC73
CrossesCold Water Creek
Location0.2 Mi. E. Jct. SR2407
RouteState Highway 73
CountyCabarrus County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.41575, -80.55579
Functional classUrban Minor 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
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.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionAugust 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 geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating51.9 US tons
Inventory rating31 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 15
Structure length127 ft (38.7 m)
Longest span41 ft (12.4 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.1 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic12,500 (2022)
Projected traffic25,000 by 2040
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was NC73 over Cold Water Creek built?

It was built in 1924, making it 101 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1954.

What condition is NC73 over Cold Water 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does NC73 over Cold Water Creek carry?

About 12,500 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is NC73 over Cold Water Creek?

The structure is 127 ft (38.7 m) long with a longest span of 41 ft (12.4 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns NC73 over Cold Water Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.