US Bridges

NC150 over Lake Norman

Fair

Catawba County, North Carolina · 1.0 Mi. E. Jct. SR1840 · Structure no. 000000000350138

Built
1961
64 years old, rebuilt 2015
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
1,162 ft
10 main spans
Daily traffic
16,500
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

NC150 over Lake Norman is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying NC150 over Lake Norman in Catawba County, North Carolina. It was built in 1961 and reconstructed in 2015, so it is 64 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 16,500 vehicles a day, roughly 12% of them trucks, projected to reach 33,000 by 2040. The structure is 1,162 ft (354.1 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 28.6 mi (46 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNC150
CrossesLake Norman
Location1.0 Mi. E. Jct. SR1840
RouteState Highway 150
CountyCatawba County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.60489, -80.9435
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
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 inspectionMarch 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating71 US tons
Inventory rating43 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans10 (+5 approach)
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length1,162 ft (354.1 m)
Longest span157 ft (47.8 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.1 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic16,500 (2021)
Projected traffic33,000 by 2040
Trucks12%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed28.6 mi (46 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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was NC150 over Lake Norman built?

It was built in 1961, making it 64 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2015.

What condition is NC150 over Lake Norman 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 March 2023.

How much traffic does NC150 over Lake Norman carry?

About 16,500 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 12% are trucks.

How long is NC150 over Lake Norman?

The structure is 1,162 ft (354.1 m) long with a longest span of 157 ft (47.8 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns NC150 over Lake Norman?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.