US Bridges

NC197 over Cattail Creek

Fair

Yancey County, North Carolina · .1 MI.S.JCT.SR1102 · Structure no. 000000001990046

Built
1951
74 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
70 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
550
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

NC197 over Cattail Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying NC197 over Cattail Creek in Yancey County, North Carolina. It was built in 1951, so it is 74 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 550 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,100 by 2040. The structure is 70 ft (21.3 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 36.7 mi (59 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNC197
CrossesCattail Creek
Location.1 MI.S.JCT.SR1102
RouteState Highway 197
CountyYancey County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.8465, -82.30773
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.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating44 US tons
Inventory rating25.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadH 15
Structure length70 ft (21.3 m)
Longest span34 ft (10.3 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic550 (2021)
Projected traffic1,100 by 2040
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed36.7 mi (59 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 NC197 over Cattail Creek built?

It was built in 1951, making it 74 years old in 2025.

What condition is NC197 over Cattail 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does NC197 over Cattail Creek carry?

About 550 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is NC197 over Cattail Creek?

The structure is 70 ft (21.3 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.3 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns NC197 over Cattail Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.