US Bridges

SR1318 over Big Laurel Creek

Poor

Madison County, North Carolina · .15 MI.W.JCT.SR1334 · Structure no. 000000001150149

Built
1951
74 years old, rebuilt 1983
Condition
Poor
inspected March 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
82 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
400
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

SR1318 over Big Laurel Creek is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying SR1318 over Big Laurel Creek in Madison County, North Carolina. It was built in 1951 and reconstructed in 1983, so it is 74 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 poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 400 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 800 by 2040. The structure is 82 ft (24.9 m) long and 18 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 10.6 mi (17 km).

CarriesSR1318
CrossesBig Laurel Creek
Location.15 MI.W.JCT.SR1334
RouteState Highway 1318
Coordinates35.91989, -82.67048
Functional classRural Minor Collector

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMarch 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating47 US tons
Inventory rating28 US tons

Structure

MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckWood or timber
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length82 ft (24.9 m)
Longest span40 ft (12.1 m)
Deck width18 ft (5.6 m)
Roadway width17 ft (5.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic400 (2021)
Projected traffic800 by 2040
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed10.6 mi (17 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was SR1318 over Big Laurel Creek built?

It was built in 1951, making it 74 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1983.

What condition is SR1318 over Big Laurel Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in March 2024.

How much traffic does SR1318 over Big Laurel Creek carry?

About 400 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is SR1318 over Big Laurel Creek?

The structure is 82 ft (24.9 m) long with a longest span of 40 ft (12.1 m) and a deck 18 ft wide.

Who owns SR1318 over Big Laurel Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.