US Bridges

County Road 2688 over Watauga River

FairPosted for load

Carter County, Tennessee · Wilbur Reservoir · Structure no. 10026880003

Built
1942
83 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2024
Type
Truss - Deck
Steel
Length
378 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
841
2021 count
Owner
Federal
Tennessee Valley Authority

About this bridge

County Road 2688 over Watauga River is a steel truss - deck carrying County Road 2688 over Watauga River in Carter County, Tennessee. It was built in 1942, so it is 83 years old, older than the Tennessee average of 47.4 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 841 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,000 by 2041. The structure is 378 ft (115.2 m) long and 22 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 123.7 mi (199 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road 2688
CrossesWatauga River
LocationWilbur Reservoir
RouteCounty Highway 2688
CountyCarter County
StateTennessee
Coordinates36.33667, -82.11667
Functional classRural Minor 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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJune 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
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 adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating35.3 US tons
Inventory rating21.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Deck
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4 (+1 approach)
Design loadH 20
Structure length378 ft (115.2 m)
Longest span75 ft (22.9 m)
Deck width22 ft (6.6 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic841 (2021)
Projected traffic1,000 by 2041
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed123.7 mi (199 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerTennessee Valley Authority
Maintained byTennessee Valley Authority
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$1.5 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 2688 over Watauga River built?

It was built in 1942, making it 83 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 2688 over Watauga 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 June 2024.

How much traffic does County Road 2688 over Watauga River carry?

About 841 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is County Road 2688 over Watauga River?

The structure is 378 ft (115.2 m) long with a longest span of 75 ft (22.9 m) and a deck 22 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 2688 over Watauga River?

It is owned by the Tennessee Valley Authority.