US Bridges

NC160 over Southern Railroad

Poor

Mecklenburg County, North Carolina · 0.6 Mi. E. Jct. SR5901 · Structure no. 000000001190054

Built
1956
69 years old, rebuilt 1969
Condition
Poor
inspected February 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
136 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
20,000
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

NC160 over Southern Railroad is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying NC160 over Southern Railroad in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. It was built in 1956 and reconstructed in 1969, so it is 69 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. Its operating status is: open, would be posted or closed except for temporary shoring.

It carries about 20,000 vehicles a day, roughly 12% of them trucks, projected to reach 40,000 by 2040. The structure is 136 ft (41.4 m) long and 65 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

CarriesNC160
CrossesSouthern Railroad
Location0.6 Mi. E. Jct. SR5901
RouteState Highway 160
Coordinates35.20909, -80.91266
Functional classUrban Other Principal Arterial

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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionFebruary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, would be posted or closed except for temporary shoring
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating60 US tons
Inventory rating35.9 US tons

Structure

MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 15
Structure length136 ft (41.4 m)
Longest span52 ft (15.8 m)
Deck width65 ft (19.7 m)
Roadway width52 ft (15.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic20,000 (2022)
Projected traffic40,000 by 2040
Trucks12%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

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—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was NC160 over Southern Railroad built?

It was built in 1956, making it 69 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1969.

What condition is NC160 over Southern Railroad 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 February 2024.

How much traffic does NC160 over Southern Railroad carry?

About 20,000 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 12% are trucks.

How long is NC160 over Southern Railroad?

The structure is 136 ft (41.4 m) long with a longest span of 52 ft (15.8 m) and a deck 65 ft wide.

Who owns NC160 over Southern Railroad?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.