US Bridges

NC105 over Laurel Fork Creek

Fair

Watauga County, North Carolina · .3 MI.S.JCT.SR1107 · Structure no. 000000001890337

Built
1956
69 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Culvert
Concrete Continuous
Length
22 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
19,000
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

NC105 over Laurel Fork Creek is a concrete continuous culvert carrying NC105 over Laurel Fork Creek in Watauga County, North Carolina. It was built in 1956, so it is 69 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 19,000 vehicles a day, roughly 14% of them trucks, projected to reach 38,000 by 2040. The structure is 22 ft (6.7 m) long. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

CarriesNC105
CrossesLaurel Fork Creek
Location.3 MI.S.JCT.SR1107
RouteState Highway 105
Coordinates36.2067, -81.71082
Functional classRural Principal Arterial - Other

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating99 US tons
Inventory rating88 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckNot applicable
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length22 ft (6.7 m)
Longest span7 ft (2.1 m)
Deck width0 ft (0 m)
Roadway width0 ft (0 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic19,000 (2021)
Projected traffic38,000 by 2040
Trucks14%
Lanes on structure3
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

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 NC105 over Laurel Fork Creek built?

It was built in 1956, making it 69 years old in 2025.

What condition is NC105 over Laurel Fork 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 2023.

How much traffic does NC105 over Laurel Fork Creek carry?

About 19,000 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 14% are trucks.

How long is NC105 over Laurel Fork Creek?

The structure is 22 ft (6.7 m) long with a longest span of 7 ft (2.1 m).

Who owns NC105 over Laurel Fork Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.