US Bridges

NC279 over Southern Railroad

Fair

Gaston County, North Carolina · 0.1 Mi. E. Jct. NC7 · Structure no. 000000000710004

Built
1968
57 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
172 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
19,500
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

NC279 over Southern Railroad is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying NC279 over Southern Railroad in Gaston County, North Carolina. It was built in 1968, so it is 57 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 19,500 vehicles a day, roughly 12% of them trucks, projected to reach 39,000 by 2040. The structure is 172 ft (52.4 m) long and 64 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 0.6 mi (1 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNC279
CrossesSouthern Railroad
Location0.1 Mi. E. Jct. NC7
RouteState Highway 279
CountyGaston County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.27853, -81.14898
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionAugust 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 geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating99 US tons
Inventory rating67.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length172 ft (52.4 m)
Longest span72 ft (21.9 m)
Deck width64 ft (19.6 m)
Roadway width52 ft (15.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic19,500 (2022)
Projected traffic39,000 by 2040
Trucks12%
Lanes on structure5
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

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 NC279 over Southern Railroad built?

It was built in 1968, making it 57 years old in 2025.

What condition is NC279 over Southern Railroad 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 August 2024.

How much traffic does NC279 over Southern Railroad carry?

About 19,500 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 12% are trucks.

How long is NC279 over Southern Railroad?

The structure is 172 ft (52.4 m) long with a longest span of 72 ft (21.9 m) and a deck 64 ft wide.

Who owns NC279 over Southern Railroad?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.