US Bridges

NC268 over Bugaboo Creek

Fair

Wilkes County, North Carolina · .01 MI.E.JCT.SR2015 · Structure no. 000000001930092

Built
1937
88 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2024
Type
Arch - Deck
Concrete
Length
158 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
6,000
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

NC268 over Bugaboo Creek is a concrete arch - deck carrying NC268 over Bugaboo Creek in Wilkes County, North Carolina. It was built in 1937, so it is 88 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 6,000 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 12,000 by 2040. The structure is 158 ft (48.1 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNC268
CrossesBugaboo Creek
Location.01 MI.E.JCT.SR2015
RouteState Highway 268
CountyWilkes County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates36.21924, -80.96161
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionDecember 2024
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 geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating22.9 US tons
Inventory rating18 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length158 ft (48.1 m)
Longest span55 ft (16.7 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.6 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic6,000 (2022)
Projected traffic12,000 by 2040
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
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 Bugaboo Creek built?

It was built in 1937, making it 88 years old in 2025.

What condition is NC268 over Bugaboo 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 December 2024.

How much traffic does NC268 over Bugaboo Creek carry?

About 6,000 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is NC268 over Bugaboo Creek?

The structure is 158 ft (48.1 m) long with a longest span of 55 ft (16.7 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns NC268 over Bugaboo Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.