Birch Street over CSX RR

Fair

Gaston County, North Carolina · 0.1MI.N.JCT.FIRST St. · Structure no. 000000000710315

Built: 1987; 38 years old
Condition: Fair; inspected June 2024
Type: Slab; Concrete Continuous
Length: 126 ft; 3 main spans
Daily traffic: 250; 1994 count
Owner: City; City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Birch Street over CSX RR is a concrete continuous slab carrying Birch Street over CSX RR in Gaston County, North Carolina. It was built in 1987, so it is 38 years old, younger 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 250 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 500 by 2040. The structure is 126 ft (38.4 m) long and 27 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.8 mi (159 km).

Location

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CarriesBirch Street

CrossesCSX RR

Location0.1MI.N.JCT.FIRST St.

RouteCity Street 0

CountyGaston County

StateNorth Carolina

Coordinates35.2731, -81.10519

Functional classUrban Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

Component	Rating	Meaning
Deck	7 Good	Some minor problems.
Superstructure	7 Good	Some minor problems.
Substructure	6 Satisfactory	Structural elements show some minor deterioration.

Last inspectionJune 2024

Inspection intervalevery 24 months

Operating statusOpen, no restriction

ScourBridge not over waterway

Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria

Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is

Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria

Operating rating61 US tons

Inventory rating35.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab

MaterialConcrete Continuous

DeckConcrete, cast-in-place

Main spans3

Design loadHS 20 + Mod

Structure length126 ft (38.4 m)

Longest span47 ft (14.3 m)

Deck width27 ft (8.1 m)

Roadway width24 ft (7.2 m)

Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic250 (1994)

Projected traffic500 by 2040

Trucks7%

Lanes on structure2

Traffic directionTwo-way traffic

CarriesHighway

CrossesRailroad

Detour if closed98.8 mi (159 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 Birch Street over CSX RR built?

It was built in 1987, making it 38 years old in 2025.

What condition is Birch Street over CSX 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 June 2024.

How much traffic does Birch Street over CSX RR carry?

About 250 vehicles per day (1994 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is Birch Street over CSX RR?

The structure is 126 ft (38.4 m) long with a longest span of 47 ft (14.3 m) and a deck 27 ft wide.

Who owns Birch Street over CSX RR?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.