US Bridges

SR1202 over Watauga River

Poor

Watauga County, North Carolina · .2 MI.N.JCT.SR1237 · Structure no. 000000001890304

Built
1962
63 years old, rebuilt 2013
Condition
Poor
inspected July 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
260 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
1,100
2016 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

SR1202 over Watauga River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying SR1202 over Watauga River in Watauga County, North Carolina. It was built in 1962 and reconstructed in 2013, so it is 63 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 1,100 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,200 by 2040. The structure is 260 ft (79.2 m) long and 27 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSR1202
CrossesWatauga River
Location.2 MI.N.JCT.SR1237
RouteState Highway 1202
CountyWatauga County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates36.27155, -81.87145
Functional classRural Local

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 inspectionJuly 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 geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating53.9 US tons
Inventory rating32 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadH 15
Structure length260 ft (79.2 m)
Longest span64 ft (19.5 m)
Deck width27 ft (8.3 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,100 (2016)
Projected traffic2,200 by 2040
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 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 SR1202 over Watauga River built?

It was built in 1962, making it 63 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2013.

What condition is SR1202 over Watauga River 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 July 2023.

How much traffic does SR1202 over Watauga River carry?

About 1,100 vehicles per day (2016 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is SR1202 over Watauga River?

The structure is 260 ft (79.2 m) long with a longest span of 64 ft (19.5 m) and a deck 27 ft wide.

Who owns SR1202 over Watauga River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.