US Bridges

NC194 over Watauga River

Fair

Watauga County, North Carolina · 50 FT.N.JCT.SR1116 · Structure no. 000000001890027

Built
1978
47 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete
Length
281 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
2,000
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

NC194 over Watauga River is a prestressed concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying NC194 over Watauga River in Watauga County, North Carolina. It was built in 1978, so it is 47 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 2,000 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 4,000 by 2040. The structure is 281 ft (85.6 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesNC194
CrossesWatauga River
Location50 FT.N.JCT.SR1116
RouteState Highway 194
CountyWatauga County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates36.21664, -81.78624
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating95.9 US tons
Inventory rating32 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadHS 15
Structure length281 ft (85.6 m)
Longest span68 ft (20.7 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.3 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,000 (2021)
Projected traffic4,000 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was NC194 over Watauga River built?

It was built in 1978, making it 47 years old in 2025.

What condition is NC194 over Watauga 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does NC194 over Watauga River carry?

About 2,000 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is NC194 over Watauga River?

The structure is 281 ft (85.6 m) long with a longest span of 68 ft (20.7 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns NC194 over Watauga River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.