US Bridges

US176 over Southern Railroad

Fair

Polk County, North Carolina · .01 MI.E.JCT.SR1177 · Structure no. 000000001490005

Built
1967
58 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
143 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
2,000
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US176 over Southern Railroad is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying US176 over Southern Railroad in Polk County, North Carolina. It was built in 1967, so it is 58 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 5 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 2,000 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 4,000 by 2040. The structure is 143 ft (43.5 m) long and 37 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 0.6 mi (1 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesUS176
CrossesSouthern Railroad
Location.01 MI.E.JCT.SR1177
RouteU.S. Route 176
CountyPolk County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.23619, -82.35004
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
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 rating86 US tons
Inventory rating50.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length143 ft (43.5 m)
Longest span80 ft (24.3 m)
Deck width37 ft (11.3 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,000 (2022)
Projected traffic4,000 by 2040
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesRailroad
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—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was US176 over Southern Railroad built?

It was built in 1967, making it 58 years old in 2025.

What condition is US176 over Southern Railroad 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 US176 over Southern Railroad carry?

About 2,000 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is US176 over Southern Railroad?

The structure is 143 ft (43.5 m) long with a longest span of 80 ft (24.3 m) and a deck 37 ft wide.

Who owns US176 over Southern Railroad?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.