US Bridges

SR1709 over I40

Poor

Catawba County, North Carolina · 0.3 Mi. N. Jct. SR1714 · Structure no. 000000000350173

Built
1957
68 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected April 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
260 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
10,000
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

SR1709 over I40 is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying SR1709 over I40 in Catawba County, North Carolina. It was built in 1957, so it is 68 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 poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 10,000 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 20,000 by 2040. The structure is 260 ft (79.2 m) long and 36 ft wide.

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSR1709
CrossesI40
Location0.3 Mi. N. Jct. SR1714
RouteState Highway 1709
CountyCatawba County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.72153, -81.18633
Functional classUrban Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionApril 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating48.9 US tons
Inventory rating29 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadHS 15
Structure length260 ft (79.2 m)
Longest span74 ft (22.5 m)
Deck width36 ft (10.9 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic10,000 (2021)
Projected traffic20,000 by 2040
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed—
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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was SR1709 over I40 built?

It was built in 1957, making it 68 years old in 2025.

What condition is SR1709 over I40 in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in April 2023.

How much traffic does SR1709 over I40 carry?

About 10,000 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is SR1709 over I40?

The structure is 260 ft (79.2 m) long with a longest span of 74 ft (22.5 m) and a deck 36 ft wide.

Who owns SR1709 over I40?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.