US Bridges

N.College Avenue over Norfork Southern RR

Fair

Catawba County, North Carolina · 0.3MI.S.JCT.E.20th St. · Structure no. 000000000350180

Built
1985
40 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2024
Type
Slab
Prestressed Concrete
Length
108 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
1,500
2021 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

N.College Avenue over Norfork Southern RR is a prestressed concrete slab carrying N.College Avenue over Norfork Southern RR in Catawba County, North Carolina. It was built in 1985, so it is 40 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 1,500 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 3,000 by 2040. The structure is 108 ft (32.9 m) long and 36 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 0.6 mi (1 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesN.College Avenue
CrossesNorfork Southern RR
Location0.3MI.S.JCT.E.20th St.
RouteCity Street 0
CountyCatawba County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.67651, -81.21814
Functional classUrban Collector

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 inspectionJanuary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating48.9 US tons
Inventory rating29 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length108 ft (32.9 m)
Longest span56 ft (17 m)
Deck width36 ft (11 m)
Roadway width29 ft (8.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,500 (2021)
Projected traffic3,000 by 2040
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed0.6 mi (1 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal 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 N.College Avenue over Norfork Southern RR built?

It was built in 1985, making it 40 years old in 2025.

What condition is N.College Avenue over Norfork Southern RR 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 N.College Avenue over Norfork Southern RR carry?

About 1,500 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is N.College Avenue over Norfork Southern RR?

The structure is 108 ft (32.9 m) long with a longest span of 56 ft (17 m) and a deck 36 ft wide.

Who owns N.College Avenue over Norfork Southern RR?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.