US Bridges

Bob Blankenship Ro over Bob Blankenship Road

Fair

Swain County, North Carolina · Bob Blankenship RD · Structure no. 00000000000T017

Built
1960
65 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
58 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
10
2019 count
Owner
Tribal
Indian Tribal Government

About this bridge

Bob Blankenship Ro over Bob Blankenship Road is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Bob Blankenship Ro over Bob Blankenship Road in Swain County, North Carolina. It was built in 1960, so it is 65 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 10 vehicles a day, projected to reach 12 by 2039. The structure is 58 ft (17.7 m) long and 13 ft wide.

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBob Blankenship Ro
CrossesBob Blankenship Road
LocationBob Blankenship RD
RouteFederal Lands Road 17
CountySwain County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.57292, -83.24397
Functional classRural Minor 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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionFebruary 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating34.9 US tons
Inventory rating20.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1 (+1 approach)
Design loadUnknown
Structure length58 ft (17.7 m)
Longest span56 ft (17.1 m)
Deck width13 ft (3.9 m)
Roadway width12 ft (3.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deck0 ft (0 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic10 (2019)
Projected traffic12 by 2039
Trucks—
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed—
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerIndian Tribal Government
Maintained byIndian Tribal Government
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$98,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Bob Blankenship Ro over Bob Blankenship Road built?

It was built in 1960, making it 65 years old in 2025.

What condition is Bob Blankenship Ro over Bob Blankenship Road 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 February 2023.

How much traffic does Bob Blankenship Ro over Bob Blankenship Road carry?

About 10 vehicles per day (2019 count).

How long is Bob Blankenship Ro over Bob Blankenship Road?

The structure is 58 ft (17.7 m) long with a longest span of 56 ft (17.1 m) and a deck 13 ft wide.

Who owns Bob Blankenship Ro over Bob Blankenship Road?

It is owned by the Indian Tribal Government.