US Bridges

NC273 over Southern Railroad

Fair

Gaston County, North Carolina · 0.15 Mi. S. Jct. NC7 · Structure no. 000000000710025

Built
1969
56 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
216 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
20,000
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

NC273 over Southern Railroad is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying NC273 over Southern Railroad in Gaston County, North Carolina. It was built in 1969, so it is 56 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 20,000 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 40,000 by 2040. The structure is 216 ft (65.8 m) long and 65 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 0.6 mi (1 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNC273
CrossesSouthern Railroad
Location0.15 Mi. S. Jct. NC7
RouteState Highway 273
CountyGaston County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.2413, -81.03132
Functional classUrban Minor 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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating95.9 US tons
Inventory rating57 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length216 ft (65.8 m)
Longest span108 ft (32.9 m)
Deck width65 ft (19.8 m)
Roadway width52 ft (15.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic20,000 (2022)
Projected traffic40,000 by 2040
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure4
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 NC273 over Southern Railroad built?

It was built in 1969, making it 56 years old in 2025.

What condition is NC273 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 NC273 over Southern Railroad carry?

About 20,000 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is NC273 over Southern Railroad?

The structure is 216 ft (65.8 m) long with a longest span of 108 ft (32.9 m) and a deck 65 ft wide.

Who owns NC273 over Southern Railroad?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.