I26 over Rocky Creek
Unicoi County, Tennessee · rated Fair in the 2025 National Bridge Inventory
United States Bridge Conditions2025 National Bridge Inventory, FHWACompiled
- I26 over Rocky Creek in Unicoi County, Tennessee, is rated in fair condition in the 2025 National Bridge Inventory (as of ).
- Its lowest-rated component is the culvert, rated 5 (fair condition) on the 0-9 scale.
- It was built in 1981, making it 44 years old at the 2025 inventory.
- It carries about 13,947 vehicles a day (traffic count year 2021).
- Its listed owner is the state highway agency.
- It is one of 65 of the 160 inventoried bridges in Unicoi County rated fair (40.6%); 12 (7.5%) 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 November 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 → (36.16167, -82.40334)
Component ratings
| Component | Rating (2024) | Rating (2025) | FHWA scale meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Culvert | 5 | 5 | Fair condition |
Bridge details
| Structure | Continuous concrete culvert |
| Length | about 21 ft |
| Location | North of Erwin |
| NBI structure number | 86I00260025 |
| Condition class | Fair |
| Traffic status (item 41) | Open, no restriction |
| Last inspection (item 90) | November 2024 |
| Inspection interval (item 91) | 24 months |
| Scour (item 113) | 4: foundations stable, field review says exposed foundations need protection |
Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2025 data as reported by the Tennessee department of transportation.
Busiest bridges in Unicoi County
| Bridge | Built | Vehicles/day | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| I26 Rt Ln over Nfa A305 (tinker Rd) | 1985 | 16,623 | Good |
| I26 Lt Ln over Nfa A305 (tinker Rd) | 1985 | 16,623 | Good |
| I26 over Dry Creek | 1985 | 16,623 | Fair |
| I26 Rt Ln over Nfa A300-pippen Hollow R | 1983 | 16,623 | Good |
| I26 Lt Ln over Nfa A300-pippen Hollow R | 1983 | 16,623 | Good |
| I26 Rt Ln over N Indian CR & Nfa A309 | 1985 | 15,924 | Good |
All bridges nearby: Unicoi County, TN bridge conditions · every bridge in Unicoi County · Tennessee bridges.
Background: how bridge ratings work · what "poor" and "structurally deficient" actually mean · how often bridges are inspected.