Blue Ridge Parkway over U.S. Route 421
PoorWatauga County, North Carolina · 15.0 Miles from Nc Route · Structure no. 5140091P0000000
- Built
- 2001
- 24 years old
- Condition
- Poor
- inspected July 2023
- Type
- Box Beam or Girders - Single or Spread
- Prestressed Concrete
- Length
- 267 ft
- 2 main spans
- Daily traffic
- 2,300
- 2013 count
- Owner
- Federal
- National Park Service
About this bridge
Blue Ridge Parkway over U.S. Route 421 is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - single or spread carrying Blue Ridge Parkway over U.S. Route 421 in Watauga County, North Carolina. It was built in 2001, so it is 24 years old, younger 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 2,300 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,530 by 2033. The structure is 267 ft (81.5 m) long and 36 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 39.8 mi (64 km).
Location
Open in Google MapsCondition and inspection
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.
| Component | Rating | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Deck | 5 Fair | All primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour. |
| Superstructure | 6 Satisfactory | Structural elements show some minor deterioration. |
| Substructure | 4 Poor | Advanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour. |
Structure
Traffic and service
Ownership and planned work
Frequently asked questions
When was Blue Ridge Parkway over U.S. Route 421 built?
It was built in 2001, making it 24 years old in 2025.
What condition is Blue Ridge Parkway over U.S. Route 421 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 Blue Ridge Parkway over U.S. Route 421 carry?
About 2,300 vehicles per day (2013 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.
How long is Blue Ridge Parkway over U.S. Route 421?
The structure is 267 ft (81.5 m) long with a longest span of 144 ft (43.9 m) and a deck 36 ft wide.
Who owns Blue Ridge Parkway over U.S. Route 421?
It is owned by the National Park Service.