US221 NC226 over Catawba River
McDowell County, North Carolina · rated Fair in the 2025 National Bridge Inventory
United States Bridge Conditions2025 National Bridge Inventory, FHWACompiled
- US221 NC226 over Catawba River in McDowell County, North Carolina, is rated in fair condition in the 2025 National Bridge Inventory (as of ).
- Its lowest-rated component is the deck, rated 6 (satisfactory condition) on the 0-9 scale.
- It was built in 1989, making it 36 years old at the 2025 inventory.
- It carries about 13,000 vehicles a day (traffic count year 2022).
- Its listed owner is the state highway agency.
- It is one of 108 of the 233 inventoried bridges in McDowell County rated fair (46.4%); 21 (9.0%) are rated poor.
- Its traffic status in the 2025 inventory is open, no restriction (NBI item 41).
- Its condition class and component ratings are unchanged from the 2024 inventory.
- Its most recent inspection on record is dated February 2024, on a 24-month routine inspection cycle.
- A fair rating means the lowest-rated major component scores 5 or 6 on FHWA's 0-9 scale: some deterioration or minor section loss, but the structure is sound. It is the middle class, not a warning.
View this bridge on a map → (35.70745, -82.03683)
Component ratings
| Component | Rating (2024) | Rating (2025) | FHWA scale meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck | 6 | 6 | Satisfactory condition |
| Superstructure | 7 | 7 | Good condition |
| Substructure | 6 | 6 | Satisfactory condition |
Bridge details
| Structure | Prestressed concrete stringer or multi-beam girder |
| Length | about 209 ft |
| Location | .2 MI.N.JCT.US70 |
| NBI structure number | 000000001110355 |
| Condition class | Fair |
| Traffic status (item 41) | Open, no restriction |
| Last inspection (item 90) | February 2024 |
| Inspection interval (item 91) | 24 months |
| Scour (item 113) | 8: foundations stable, scour above the top of the footing |
Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2025 data as reported by the North Carolina department of transportation.
Busiest bridges in McDowell County
| Bridge | Built | Vehicles/day | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| I40 over Big Camp Creek | 1958 | 31,500 | Fair |
| I-40 over Thompsons Fork Creek | 1958 | 31,000 | Fair |
| I-40 over North Muddy Creek | 1958 | 29,000 | Good |
| I-40 over Glades Creek | 1958 | 28,500 | Fair |
| I-40 over Youngs Fork Creek | 1958 | 28,000 | Fair |
| I-40 over Curtis Creek | 1991 | 27,500 | Fair |
All bridges nearby: McDowell County, NC bridge conditions · every bridge in McDowell County · North Carolina bridges.
Background: how bridge ratings work · what "poor" and "structurally deficient" actually mean · how often bridges are inspected.