Skip to main content

AAA Carolinas releases annual 20 worst bridges in the state list

Every February, AAA Carolinas releases their 20 worst bridges in North Carolina listing. The release always makes local media outlets and becomes topic of discussion on various talk radio programs and even transportation forums.

So without further hype, here are some highlights of the 20 worst in North Carolina:

1. Business I-40/85 bridge over South Buffalo Creek - Guilford County. This bridge, built in 1955, handles nearly 117,000 vehicles a day, and is currently not scheduled to be replaced. It should be noted, that the completion of the I-40 and I-85 bypass on the Greensboro Loop should reduce the amount of traffic on this bridge.

2. Business I-40 Bridge over Liberty Street in Winston-Salem. This bridge was also built in 1955, handles nearly 68,000 Vehicles per day and is scheduled to be replaced in 2013.

3. US 220 bridge over SR 1452 and Business US 220 in Guilford County. This is the youngest bridge on the list (built in 1968) and is not scheduled to be replaced or improved. About 39,000 vehicles per day use this bridge.

4. I-440 Beltline bridge over Hilsborough Street and the Southern Railroad - Raleigh. This bridge on the Beltline was built in 1960 and will be improved/replace in part of a I-440 widening project scheduled to begin in 2009.

11. The I-85 bridge over the Yadkin River near Spencer. This structure, built in 1955, is arguably the most discussed and feared bridge in the state. The narrow two lane span that pre-dates the interstate system is scheduled to replaced in an I-85 widening project. However, the cost to replace the bridge and widen the highway makes it one of the most expensive projects in the state. There are some discussions to make the new bridge toll to help with the construction costs. Current estimates have 55,000 vehicles per day using this bridge.

13. US 117 bridge over the SCL Railway in New Hanover County. The oldest bridge on the list (built in 1934) is scheduled to be replaced this year.

For a full list of the 20 worst bridges in the state, go here.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Former US Route 50 and the Pioneer Route Lincoln Highway on Johnson's Pass Road

Johnson's Pass Road is one of the oldest highway corridors in California.  Johnson's Pass was part of the Lake Tahoe Wagon Road as it was completed during 1856 over the Sierra Nevada.  The pass would later be incorporated into the Pioneer Branch of the Lincoln Highway in 1913 and US Route 50 in 1926.  Johnson's Pass Road would be bypassed by a new alignment of US Route 50 over Echo Summit in 1938.  A replacement of the Meyers Grade east of Johnson's Pass would be opened to traffic in 1947.   Johnson's Pass Road remains accessible to traffic and is still signed by the Lincoln Highway Association.  Pictured as the blog cover is the view from the top of Johnson's Pass Road overlooking modern US Route 50 and Lake Tahoe.   Part 1; the history of Johnson's Pass Much of the history of what become the Lake Tahoe Wagon Road is discussed in the  September 1950 California Highways & Public Works  during its Centennial Edition.  The or...

Former US Route 50 and the South Lincoln Highway from Folsom east to Placerville

The corridor of Folsom of Sacramento County east to Placerville of El Dorado County has been a long established corridor of overland travel dating back to the California Gold Rush.  The Folsom-Placerville corridor was once part of the path of the Lake Tahoe Wagon Road which became the first California State Highway and later the South Lincoln Highway.  In time the South Lincoln Highway's surface alignment was inherited by US Route 50.  The Folsom-Placerville corridor also includes the communities of; Clarksville, Shingle Springs and El Dorado. Part 1; the history of the Lake Tahoe Wagon Road, South Lincoln Highway and US Route 50 through Folsom-Placerville Folsom is located on the American River/Lake Natoma of eastern Sacramento County.  That lands now occupied by the City of Folsom were part of Rancho Rio de los Americanos prior to the finding of gold at Sutter's Mill during 1848.  During the California Gold Rush the lands of Rancho Rio de los Americanos were p...

Old NC 10 - The Central Highway: Old Fort to Black Mountain through the Royal Gorge

A unique way of tracing the remnants of the Central Highway is through the mountainous terrain of Eastern Buncombe and Western McDowell Counties.  From the east on US 70, you reach the base of Blue Ridge Mountains at the town of Old Fort.  Old Fort is a tiny rail town that the old Central Highway and now US 70 goes through.  The Central Highway can be followed via a right onto Mill Creek Road from US 70.  Follow the highway as it takes you closer to the mountains.  When Mill Creek Road bears right to head towards Andrews Geyser stay straight until the road ends at a gate.  The nearby Piney Grove Church can be used for parking.  At this point, the old Central Highway began a 3.5 mile climb of the mountain to Swannanoa Gap.  NC 10 and later US 70 travelers followed this road for over 30 years until a new and modern four lane US 70 was built to the south.  This same four lane road would eventually become Interstate 40.    The Centra...