US Bridges

US276 over Southern Railroad

Fair

Haywood County, North Carolina · .2 MI.N.JCT.US23 Bus · Structure no. 000000000870184

Built
1968
57 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
168 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
7,000
2018 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US276 over Southern Railroad is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying US276 over Southern Railroad in Haywood 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 7,000 vehicles a day, roughly 12% of them trucks, projected to reach 14,000 by 2040. The structure is 168 ft (51.2 m) long and 53 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesUS276
CrossesSouthern Railroad
Location.2 MI.N.JCT.US23 Bus
RouteU.S. Route 276
CountyHaywood County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.49747, -82.98516
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
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 inspectionMarch 2023
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 rating56 US tons
Inventory rating34 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length168 ft (51.2 m)
Longest span60 ft (18.2 m)
Deck width53 ft (16.1 m)
Roadway width44 ft (13.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic7,000 (2018)
Projected traffic14,000 by 2040
Trucks12%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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 US276 over Southern Railroad built?

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

What condition is US276 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 March 2023.

How much traffic does US276 over Southern Railroad carry?

About 7,000 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 12% are trucks.

How long is US276 over Southern Railroad?

The structure is 168 ft (51.2 m) long with a longest span of 60 ft (18.2 m) and a deck 53 ft wide.

Who owns US276 over Southern Railroad?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.