US Bridges

Blue Ridge Parkway over Boone Fork

Fair

Watauga County, North Carolina · 5.06 Miles from U.S. Rout · Structure no. 5140174P0000000

Built
1971
54 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete Continuous
Length
202 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
2,300
2023 count
Owner
Federal
National Park Service

About this bridge

Blue Ridge Parkway over Boone Fork is a concrete continuous tee beam carrying Blue Ridge Parkway over Boone Fork in Watauga County, North Carolina. It was built in 1971, so it is 54 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 2,300 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,530 by 2043. The structure is 202 ft (61.6 m) long and 38 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 9.9 mi (16 km).

Location

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CarriesBlue Ridge Parkway
CrossesBoone Fork
Location5.06 Miles from U.S. Rout
RouteFederal Lands Road 1
CountyWatauga County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates36.11933, -81.78125
Functional classRural Minor 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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJuly 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating31.1 US tons
Inventory rating18.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadH 15
Structure length202 ft (61.6 m)
Longest span57 ft (17.4 m)
Deck width38 ft (11.6 m)
Roadway width34 ft (10.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,300 (2023)
Projected traffic2,530 by 2043
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed9.9 mi (16 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerNational Park Service
Maintained byNational Park Service
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$60,000 (2017 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Blue Ridge Parkway over Boone Fork built?

It was built in 1971, making it 54 years old in 2025.

What condition is Blue Ridge Parkway over Boone Fork 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 July 2023.

How much traffic does Blue Ridge Parkway over Boone Fork carry?

About 2,300 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Blue Ridge Parkway over Boone Fork?

The structure is 202 ft (61.6 m) long with a longest span of 57 ft (17.4 m) and a deck 38 ft wide.

Who owns Blue Ridge Parkway over Boone Fork?

It is owned by the National Park Service.