US Bridges

US19 over Tuckasegee River

Fair

Swain County, North Carolina · 50 FT.N.JCT.SR1168 · Structure no. 000000001730020

Built
1989
36 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
303 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
6,000
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US19 over Tuckasegee River is a concrete continuous slab carrying US19 over Tuckasegee River in Swain County, North Carolina. It was built in 1989, so it is 36 years old, younger 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 6,000 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 12,000 by 2040. The structure is 303 ft (92.3 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesUS19
CrossesTuckasegee River
Location50 FT.N.JCT.SR1168
RouteU.S. Route 19
CountySwain County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.43162, -83.41412
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating57 US tons
Inventory rating34 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4 (+3 approach)
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length303 ft (92.3 m)
Longest span51 ft (15.5 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.9 m)
Roadway width29 ft (8.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic6,000 (2022)
Projected traffic12,000 by 2040
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was US19 over Tuckasegee River built?

It was built in 1989, making it 36 years old in 2025.

What condition is US19 over Tuckasegee River 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 US19 over Tuckasegee River carry?

About 6,000 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is US19 over Tuckasegee River?

The structure is 303 ft (92.3 m) long with a longest span of 51 ft (15.5 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns US19 over Tuckasegee River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.