US Bridges

I-40 over Thickety Creek

Fair

Haywood County, North Carolina · .8 MI.W.JCT.NC215 · Structure no. 000000000870240

Built
1962
63 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2023
Type
Culvert
Concrete Continuous
Length
22 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
49,500
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

I-40 over Thickety Creek is a concrete continuous culvert carrying I-40 over Thickety Creek in Haywood County, North Carolina. It was built in 1962, so it is 63 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 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 49,500 vehicles a day, roughly 23% of them trucks, projected to reach 99,000 by 2040. The structure is 22 ft (6.7 m) long. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.7 mi (14 km).

CarriesI-40
CrossesThickety Creek
Location.8 MI.W.JCT.NC215
RouteInterstate 40
Coordinates35.55349, -82.86611
Functional classRural Principal Arterial - Interstate

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionApril 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating46 US tons
Inventory rating35.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckNot applicable
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length22 ft (6.7 m)
Longest span10 ft (3 m)
Deck width0 ft (0 m)
Roadway width0 ft (0 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic49,500 (2020)
Projected traffic99,000 by 2040
Trucks23%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed8.7 mi (14 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes
Strategic Highway NetworkInterstate STRAHNET route

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was I-40 over Thickety Creek built?

It was built in 1962, making it 63 years old in 2025.

What condition is I-40 over Thickety 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 April 2023.

How much traffic does I-40 over Thickety Creek carry?

About 49,500 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 23% are trucks.

How long is I-40 over Thickety Creek?

The structure is 22 ft (6.7 m) long with a longest span of 10 ft (3 m).

Who owns I-40 over Thickety Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.