US Bridges

NC73 over Backwater Lake Tillery

Fair

Montgomery County, North Carolina · 0.1 Mi. E. Jct. NC24 · Structure no. 000000001230010

Built
1927
98 years old, rebuilt 1985
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
98 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
4,400
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

NC73 over Backwater Lake Tillery is a concrete tee beam carrying NC73 over Backwater Lake Tillery in Montgomery County, North Carolina. It was built in 1927 and reconstructed in 1985, so it is 98 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 4,400 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 8,800 by 2040. The structure is 98 ft (29.8 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 0.6 mi (1 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNC73
CrossesBackwater Lake Tillery
Location0.1 Mi. E. Jct. NC24
RouteState Highway 73
CountyMontgomery County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.30454, -80.07452
Functional classRural Major Collector

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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
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 rating56 US tons
Inventory rating33 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length98 ft (29.8 m)
Longest span31 ft (9.4 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.4 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic4,400 (2022)
Projected traffic8,800 by 2040
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed0.6 mi (1 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was NC73 over Backwater Lake Tillery built?

It was built in 1927, making it 98 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1985.

What condition is NC73 over Backwater Lake Tillery 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 2023.

How much traffic does NC73 over Backwater Lake Tillery carry?

About 4,400 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is NC73 over Backwater Lake Tillery?

The structure is 98 ft (29.8 m) long with a longest span of 31 ft (9.4 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns NC73 over Backwater Lake Tillery?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.