US Bridges

SR1121 over Watauga River

Fair

Watauga County, North Carolina · 15 FT.E.JCT.SR1116 · Structure no. 000000001890214

Built
1984
41 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
225 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
320
2016 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

SR1121 over Watauga River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying SR1121 over Watauga River in Watauga County, North Carolina. It was built in 1984, so it is 41 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 320 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 640 by 2040. The structure is 225 ft (68.5 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSR1121
CrossesWatauga River
Location15 FT.E.JCT.SR1116
RouteState Highway 1121
CountyWatauga County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates36.2387, -81.82285
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
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 alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating92.9 US tons
Inventory rating56 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length225 ft (68.5 m)
Longest span59 ft (17.9 m)
Deck width26 ft (8 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic320 (2016)
Projected traffic640 by 2040
Trucks6%
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 SR1121 over Watauga River built?

It was built in 1984, making it 41 years old in 2025.

What condition is SR1121 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 SR1121 over Watauga River carry?

About 320 vehicles per day (2016 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is SR1121 over Watauga River?

The structure is 225 ft (68.5 m) long with a longest span of 59 ft (17.9 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns SR1121 over Watauga River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.