US Bridges

NC268 over Roaring River

Fair

Wilkes County, North Carolina · 200 FT.W.JCT.SR1995 · Structure no. 000000001930088

Built
1938
87 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
230 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
6,700
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

NC268 over Roaring River is a concrete tee beam carrying NC268 over Roaring River in Wilkes County, North Carolina. It was built in 1938, so it is 87 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 5 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 6,700 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 13,400 by 2040. The structure is 230 ft (70.1 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNC268
CrossesRoaring River
Location200 FT.W.JCT.SR1995
RouteState Highway 268
CountyWilkes County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates36.20477, -81.01031
Functional classRural Major 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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionDecember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating46 US tons
Inventory rating26.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadH 15
Structure length230 ft (70.1 m)
Longest span57 ft (17.3 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.8 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic6,700 (2022)
Projected traffic13,400 by 2040
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was NC268 over Roaring River built?

It was built in 1938, making it 87 years old in 2025.

What condition is NC268 over Roaring 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 December 2024.

How much traffic does NC268 over Roaring River carry?

About 6,700 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is NC268 over Roaring River?

The structure is 230 ft (70.1 m) long with a longest span of 57 ft (17.3 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns NC268 over Roaring River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.