US Bridges

SR1444 over Cane River

Fair

Yancey County, North Carolina · .01 MI.N.JCT.US19W · Structure no. 000000001990178

Built
1979
46 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Slab
Prestressed Concrete
Length
202 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
200
2018 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

SR1444 over Cane River is a prestressed concrete slab carrying SR1444 over Cane River in Yancey County, North Carolina. It was built in 1979, so it is 46 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 200 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 400 by 2040. The structure is 202 ft (61.5 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 2.5 mi (4 km).

CarriesSR1444
CrossesCane River
Location.01 MI.N.JCT.US19W
RouteState Highway 1444
Coordinates36.00053, -82.35761
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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 protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionSeptember 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 geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating60 US tons
Inventory rating35.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans5
Design loadHS 15
Structure length202 ft (61.5 m)
Longest span39 ft (11.8 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.2 m)
Roadway width27 ft (8.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic200 (2018)
Projected traffic400 by 2040
Trucks6%
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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was SR1444 over Cane River built?

It was built in 1979, making it 46 years old in 2025.

What condition is SR1444 over Cane 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does SR1444 over Cane River carry?

About 200 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is SR1444 over Cane River?

The structure is 202 ft (61.5 m) long with a longest span of 39 ft (11.8 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns SR1444 over Cane River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.