US Bridges

US70 over Third Creek

Fair

Iredell County, North Carolina · 0.26 Mi. E. Jct. SR1379 · Structure no. 000000000970043

Built
1926
99 years old, rebuilt 1955
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
84 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
3,800
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US70 over Third Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying US70 over Third Creek in Iredell County, North Carolina. It was built in 1926 and reconstructed in 1955, so it is 99 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 3,800 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 7,600 by 2040. The structure is 84 ft (25.6 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 2.5 mi (4 km).

CarriesUS70
CrossesThird Creek
Location0.26 Mi. E. Jct. SR1379
RouteU.S. Route 70
Coordinates35.77559, -80.94426
Functional classRural 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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionApril 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating49.9 US tons
Inventory rating30 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadH 15
Structure length84 ft (25.6 m)
Longest span39 ft (11.8 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.2 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,800 (2021)
Projected traffic7,600 by 2040
Trucks8%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed2.5 mi (4 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—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was US70 over Third Creek built?

It was built in 1926, making it 99 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1955.

What condition is US70 over Third 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 2024.

How much traffic does US70 over Third Creek carry?

About 3,800 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is US70 over Third Creek?

The structure is 84 ft (25.6 m) long with a longest span of 39 ft (11.8 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns US70 over Third Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.