US Bridges

US276 over Looking Glass Creek

Fair

Transylvania County, North Carolina · 8.7 MI.N.JCT.US64 NC280 · Structure no. 000000001750077

Built
1935
90 years old, rebuilt 1936
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
34 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
850
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US276 over Looking Glass Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying US276 over Looking Glass Creek in Transylvania County, North Carolina. It was built in 1935 and reconstructed in 1936, so it is 90 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 850 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,700 by 2040. The structure is 34 ft (10.3 m) long and 27 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 44.7 mi (72 km).

CarriesUS276
CrossesLooking Glass Creek
Location8.7 MI.N.JCT.US64 NC280
RouteU.S. Route 276
Coordinates35.32014, -82.79134
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.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
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 alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating52.9 US tons
Inventory rating32 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length34 ft (10.3 m)
Longest span32 ft (9.7 m)
Deck width27 ft (8.2 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic850 (2022)
Projected traffic1,700 by 2040
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed44.7 mi (72 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 US276 over Looking Glass Creek built?

It was built in 1935, making it 90 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1936.

What condition is US276 over Looking Glass Creek 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 2024.

How much traffic does US276 over Looking Glass Creek carry?

About 850 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is US276 over Looking Glass Creek?

The structure is 34 ft (10.3 m) long with a longest span of 32 ft (9.7 m) and a deck 27 ft wide.

Who owns US276 over Looking Glass Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.