US Bridges

I40 Wbl over US70 US321 Bus

Fair

Catawba County, North Carolina · 1.00 Mi. W. Jct. SR1007 · Structure no. 000000000350144

Built
1975
50 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
348 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
30,250
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

I40 Wbl over US70 US321 Bus is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying I40 Wbl over US70 US321 Bus in Catawba County, North Carolina. It was built in 1975, so it is 50 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 30,250 vehicles a day, roughly 16% of them trucks, projected to reach 60,500 by 2040. The structure is 348 ft (106 m) long and 43 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 0.6 mi (1 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesI40 Wbl
CrossesUS70 US321 Bus
Location1.00 Mi. W. Jct. SR1007
RouteInterstate 40
CountyCatawba County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.71262, -81.33052
Functional classUrban Principal Arterial - Interstate

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.
Last inspectionMarch 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating99 US tons
Inventory rating61.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length348 ft (106 m)
Longest span177 ft (53.9 m)
Deck width43 ft (13 m)
Roadway width40 ft (12.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic30,250 (2020)
Projected traffic60,500 by 2040
Trucks16%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed0.6 mi (1 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes
Strategic Highway NetworkInterstate STRAHNET route

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—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was I40 Wbl over US70 US321 Bus built?

It was built in 1975, making it 50 years old in 2025.

What condition is I40 Wbl over US70 US321 Bus 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 I40 Wbl over US70 US321 Bus carry?

About 30,250 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 16% are trucks.

How long is I40 Wbl over US70 US321 Bus?

The structure is 348 ft (106 m) long with a longest span of 177 ft (53.9 m) and a deck 43 ft wide.

Who owns I40 Wbl over US70 US321 Bus?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.