US Bridges

NC18 over US74 NC226

Fair

Cleveland County, North Carolina · 0.6 Mi. N. Jct. SR1106 · Structure no. 000000000450032

Built
1950
75 years old, rebuilt 1973
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
183 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
11,000
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

NC18 over US74 NC226 is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying NC18 over US74 NC226 in Cleveland County, North Carolina. It was built in 1950 and reconstructed in 1973, so it is 75 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 5 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 11,000 vehicles a day, roughly 12% of them trucks, projected to reach 22,000 by 2040. The structure is 183 ft (55.7 m) long and 76 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNC18
CrossesUS74 NC226
Location0.6 Mi. N. Jct. SR1106
RouteState Highway 18
CountyCleveland County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.27885, -81.54281
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.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being 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 rating71 US tons
Inventory rating43 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadHS 15
Structure length183 ft (55.7 m)
Longest span49 ft (14.9 m)
Deck width76 ft (23.3 m)
Roadway width64 ft (19.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic11,000 (2022)
Projected traffic22,000 by 2040
Trucks12%
Lanes on structure5
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was NC18 over US74 NC226 built?

It was built in 1950, making it 75 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1973.

What condition is NC18 over US74 NC226 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 September 2024.

How much traffic does NC18 over US74 NC226 carry?

About 11,000 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 12% are trucks.

How long is NC18 over US74 NC226?

The structure is 183 ft (55.7 m) long with a longest span of 49 ft (14.9 m) and a deck 76 ft wide.

Who owns NC18 over US74 NC226?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.