US Bridges

Reservation Road over Fontana Dam Spillway

Fair

Swain County, North Carolina · On Fontana Dam · Structure no. 05G000000991830

Built
1946
79 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
255 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
390
2021 count
Owner
Federal
Tennessee Valley Authority

About this bridge

Reservation Road over Fontana Dam Spillway is a concrete slab carrying Reservation Road over Fontana Dam Spillway in Swain County, North Carolina. It was built in 1946, so it is 79 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 390 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 500 by 2041. The structure is 255 ft (77.7 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 123.7 mi (199 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesReservation Road
CrossesFontana Dam Spillway
LocationOn Fontana Dam
RouteFederal Lands Road 0
CountySwain County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.45167, -83.80167
Functional classRural 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
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating60.1 US tons
Inventory rating36.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadH 20
Structure length255 ft (77.7 m)
Longest span50 ft (15.2 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.8 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic390 (2021)
Projected traffic500 by 2041
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesRelief for waterway
Detour if closed123.7 mi (199 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerTennessee Valley Authority
Maintained byTennessee Valley Authority
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 Reservation Road over Fontana Dam Spillway built?

It was built in 1946, making it 79 years old in 2025.

What condition is Reservation Road over Fontana Dam Spillway 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 Reservation Road over Fontana Dam Spillway carry?

About 390 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Reservation Road over Fontana Dam Spillway?

The structure is 255 ft (77.7 m) long with a longest span of 50 ft (15.2 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns Reservation Road over Fontana Dam Spillway?

It is owned by the Tennessee Valley Authority.