US Bridges

US321 Bus over Maiden Creek

Fair

Catawba County, North Carolina · 0.1 Mi. S. Jct. SR1880 · Structure no. 000000000350006

Built
1922
103 years old, rebuilt 1955
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
90 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
7,600
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US321 Bus over Maiden Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying US321 Bus over Maiden Creek in Catawba County, North Carolina. It was built in 1922 and reconstructed in 1955, so it is 103 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 7,600 vehicles a day, roughly 12% of them trucks, projected to reach 15,200 by 2040. The structure is 90 ft (27.4 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 2.5 mi (4 km).

CarriesUS321 Bus
CrossesMaiden Creek
Location0.1 Mi. S. Jct. SR1880
RouteU.S. Route 321
Coordinates35.58661, -81.21484
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
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 inspectionNovember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating57 US tons
Inventory rating34 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadH 15
Structure length90 ft (27.4 m)
Longest span41 ft (12.4 m)
Deck width33 ft (10 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic7,600 (2023)
Projected traffic15,200 by 2040
Trucks12%
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 US321 Bus over Maiden Creek built?

It was built in 1922, making it 103 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1955.

What condition is US321 Bus over Maiden 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 November 2024.

How much traffic does US321 Bus over Maiden Creek carry?

About 7,600 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 12% are trucks.

How long is US321 Bus over Maiden Creek?

The structure is 90 ft (27.4 m) long with a longest span of 41 ft (12.4 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns US321 Bus over Maiden Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.