Laurel Creek Gorge Bridge
Encyclopedia
The Laurel Creek Gorge Bridge is a continuous steel Plate girder bridge
that spans Laurel Creek on Interstate 26
between Asheville, North Carolina
and Johnson City, Tennessee
. It is the second tallest bridge in North Carolina at a height of 220 ft. Construction of the bridge was finished in 2002. Due to its proximity to the higher mountains and its elevation of over 3000', the highway in this area is subject to heavy snow and icing. The bridge also features a special de-icing system which sprays liquid onto the bridge deck during the winter when icing is detected.
This section of Interstate 26 is a designated North Carolina Scenic Highway. There are excellent views of the surrounding mountains to be found just east and west of the bridge, and even from the bridge itself. Underneath, Laurel Creek is a designated trout stream with excellent waters, and during the bridge construction much effort was taken not to degrade the high-quality fishing available there.
Plate girder bridge
A plate girder bridge is a bridge supported by two or more plate girders. The plate girders are typically I-beams made up from separate structural steel plates , which are welded or, in older bridges, bolted or riveted together to form the vertical web and horizontal flanges of the beam...
that spans Laurel Creek on Interstate 26
Interstate 26
Interstate 26 is a nominally east–west main route of the Interstate Highway System in the Southeastern United States. I-26 runs from the junction of U.S. Route 11W and U.S. Route 23 in Kingsport, Tennessee, generally southeastward to U.S. Route 17 in Charleston, South Carolina...
between Asheville, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
and Johnson City, Tennessee
Johnson City, Tennessee
Johnson City is a city in Carter, Sullivan, and Washington counties in the U.S. state of Tennessee, with most of the city being in Washington County...
. It is the second tallest bridge in North Carolina at a height of 220 ft. Construction of the bridge was finished in 2002. Due to its proximity to the higher mountains and its elevation of over 3000', the highway in this area is subject to heavy snow and icing. The bridge also features a special de-icing system which sprays liquid onto the bridge deck during the winter when icing is detected.
This section of Interstate 26 is a designated North Carolina Scenic Highway. There are excellent views of the surrounding mountains to be found just east and west of the bridge, and even from the bridge itself. Underneath, Laurel Creek is a designated trout stream with excellent waters, and during the bridge construction much effort was taken not to degrade the high-quality fishing available there.