US Bridges

I277 & US74 Ramp over Southern RR

Fair

Mecklenburg County, North Carolina · 0.5 Mi. N. Jct. I77 · Structure no. 000000001190118

Built
1954
71 years old, rebuilt 1988
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
248 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
3,000
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

I277 & US74 Ramp over Southern RR is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying I277 & US74 Ramp over Southern RR in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. It was built in 1954 and reconstructed in 1988, so it is 71 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 3,000 vehicles a day, roughly 16% of them trucks, projected to reach 6,000 by 2040. The structure is 248 ft (75.5 m) long and 80 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesI277 & US74 Ramp
CrossesSouthern RR
Location0.5 Mi. N. Jct. I77
RouteInterstate 277
CountyMecklenburg County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.22442, -80.8571
Functional classUrban 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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating79.9 US tons
Inventory rating48 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans5
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length248 ft (75.5 m)
Longest span77 ft (23.4 m)
Deck width80 ft (24.5 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,000 (2022)
Projected traffic6,000 by 2040
Trucks16%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was I277 & US74 Ramp over Southern RR built?

It was built in 1954, making it 71 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1988.

What condition is I277 & US74 Ramp over Southern RR 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 September 2024.

How much traffic does I277 & US74 Ramp over Southern RR carry?

About 3,000 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 16% are trucks.

How long is I277 & US74 Ramp over Southern RR?

The structure is 248 ft (75.5 m) long with a longest span of 77 ft (23.4 m) and a deck 80 ft wide.

Who owns I277 & US74 Ramp over Southern RR?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.