US Bridges

SR1604 over Wards Creek

FairPosted for load

Cleveland County, North Carolina · 0.9 Mi. N. Jct. NC18 · Structure no. 000000000450186

Built
1976
49 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2024
Type
Channel Beam
Prestressed Concrete
Length
76 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
220
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

SR1604 over Wards Creek is a prestressed concrete channel beam carrying SR1604 over Wards Creek in Cleveland County, North Carolina. It was built in 1976, so it is 49 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 220 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 440 by 2040. The structure is 76 ft (23.1 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 2.5 mi (4 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSR1604
CrossesWards Creek
Location0.9 Mi. N. Jct. NC18
RouteState Highway 1604
CountyCleveland County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.52126, -81.52522
Functional classRural Local

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.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionNovember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating34 US tons
Inventory rating14 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length76 ft (23.1 m)
Longest span24 ft (7.3 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.7 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic220 (2022)
Projected traffic440 by 2040
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed2.5 mi (4 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—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was SR1604 over Wards Creek built?

It was built in 1976, making it 49 years old in 2025.

What condition is SR1604 over Wards Creek 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 November 2024.

How much traffic does SR1604 over Wards Creek carry?

About 220 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is SR1604 over Wards Creek?

The structure is 76 ft (23.1 m) long with a longest span of 24 ft (7.3 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns SR1604 over Wards Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.