US Bridges

US321 over Warrior Creek

Fair

Caldwell County, North Carolina · .1 MI.S.JCT.NC268 · Structure no. 000000000270055

Built
1941
84 years old, rebuilt 1977
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2024
Type
Culvert
Concrete Continuous
Length
25 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
16,000
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US321 over Warrior Creek is a concrete continuous culvert carrying US321 over Warrior Creek in Caldwell County, North Carolina. It was built in 1941 and reconstructed in 1977, so it is 84 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 16,000 vehicles a day, roughly 14% of them trucks, projected to reach 32,000 by 2040. The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long. If it were closed, the detour would be 0.6 mi (1 km).

CarriesUS321
CrossesWarrior Creek
Location.1 MI.S.JCT.NC268
RouteU.S. Route 321
Coordinates35.98003, -81.56482
Functional classRural Principal Arterial - Other

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Culvert6 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
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating46 US tons
Inventory rating35.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckNot applicable
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length25 ft (7.6 m)
Longest span12 ft (3.6 m)
Deck width0 ft (0 m)
Roadway width0 ft (0 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic16,000 (2022)
Projected traffic32,000 by 2040
Trucks14%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-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 US321 over Warrior Creek built?

It was built in 1941, making it 84 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1977.

What condition is US321 over Warrior 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 US321 over Warrior Creek carry?

About 16,000 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 14% are trucks.

How long is US321 over Warrior Creek?

The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long with a longest span of 12 ft (3.6 m).

Who owns US321 over Warrior Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.