US Bridges

US21 over Arnold Branch

Fair

Yadkin County, North Carolina · .2 MI.N.JCT.SR1347 · Structure no. 000000001970060

Built
1922
103 years old, rebuilt 1954
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
40 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
3,400
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US21 over Arnold Branch is a concrete tee beam carrying US21 over Arnold Branch in Yadkin County, North Carolina. It was built in 1922 and reconstructed in 1954, so it is 103 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 3,400 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 6,800 by 2040. The structure is 40 ft (12.1 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 2.5 mi (4 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesUS21
CrossesArnold Branch
Location.2 MI.N.JCT.SR1347
RouteU.S. Route 21
CountyYadkin County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates36.17669, -80.80625
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.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating34.9 US tons
Inventory rating26.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 15
Structure length40 ft (12.1 m)
Longest span36 ft (10.9 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.6 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,400 (2021)
Projected traffic6,800 by 2040
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed2.5 mi (4 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 US21 over Arnold Branch built?

It was built in 1922, making it 103 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1954.

What condition is US21 over Arnold Branch 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 June 2023.

How much traffic does US21 over Arnold Branch carry?

About 3,400 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is US21 over Arnold Branch?

The structure is 40 ft (12.1 m) long with a longest span of 36 ft (10.9 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns US21 over Arnold Branch?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.