US Bridges

East 11th Street over Cats Light Rail

Fair

Mecklenburg County, North Carolina · 0.1 Mi.E.Jct.College St. · Structure no. 000000001190408

Built
1954
71 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
121 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
23,000
2022 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

East 11th Street over Cats Light Rail is a concrete tee beam carrying East 11th Street over Cats Light Rail in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. It was built in 1954, 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 23,000 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 46,000 by 2040. The structure is 121 ft (36.8 m) long and 72 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 0.6 mi (1 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesEast 11th Street
CrossesCats Light Rail
Location0.1 Mi.E.Jct.College St.
RouteCity Street 0
CountyMecklenburg County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.23092, -80.83346
Functional classUrban Local

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 inspectionMarch 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
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 spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length121 ft (36.8 m)
Longest span51 ft (15.5 m)
Deck width72 ft (22 m)
Roadway width56 ft (17 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic23,000 (2022)
Projected traffic46,000 by 2040
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed0.6 mi (1 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal 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 East 11th Street over Cats Light Rail built?

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

What condition is East 11th Street over Cats Light Rail 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 March 2024.

How much traffic does East 11th Street over Cats Light Rail carry?

About 23,000 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is East 11th Street over Cats Light Rail?

The structure is 121 ft (36.8 m) long with a longest span of 51 ft (15.5 m) and a deck 72 ft wide.

Who owns East 11th Street over Cats Light Rail?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.