US Bridges

NC903 over Lake Gaston

Poor

Warren County, North Carolina · 1.7 MI N JCT SR1357 · Structure no. 000000001850139

Built
1961
64 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected October 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
1,205 ft
10 main spans
Daily traffic
3,600
2012 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

NC903 over Lake Gaston is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying NC903 over Lake Gaston in Warren County, North Carolina. It was built in 1961, so it is 64 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 poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 3,600 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 7,200 by 2040. The structure is 1,205 ft (367.2 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 48.5 mi (78 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNC903
CrossesLake Gaston
Location1.7 MI N JCT SR1357
RouteState Highway 903
CountyWarren County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates36.51823, -77.96044
Functional classRural Major Collector

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating48.9 US tons
Inventory rating29 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans10 (+6 approach)
Design loadHL 93
Structure length1,205 ft (367.2 m)
Longest span80 ft (24.3 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.1 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,600 (2012)
Projected traffic7,200 by 2040
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed48.5 mi (78 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was NC903 over Lake Gaston built?

It was built in 1961, making it 64 years old in 2025.

What condition is NC903 over Lake Gaston in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in October 2023.

How much traffic does NC903 over Lake Gaston carry?

About 3,600 vehicles per day (2012 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is NC903 over Lake Gaston?

The structure is 1,205 ft (367.2 m) long with a longest span of 80 ft (24.3 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns NC903 over Lake Gaston?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.