Laurel Creek Gorge Bridge
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Laurel Creek Gorge Bridge | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Coordinates | 35°55′01″N 82°33′28″W / 35.91704°N 82.55788°W |
| Carries | 6 general purpose lanes of   I-26 / US 23 |
| Crosses | Laurel Creek |
| Locale | Mars Hill, North Carolina |
| Maintained by | North Carolina Department of Transportation |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | continuous steel plate girder bridge[1] |
| Total length | 1,000 ft (300 m)[1] |
| Height | 220 ft (67 m)[2] |
| History | |
| Opening | 2002[1] |
| Location | |
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The Laurel Creek Gorge Bridge is a continuous steel plate girder bridge that spans Laurel Creek on Interstate 26/U.S. Route 23 between Asheville, North Carolina and Johnson City, Tennessee. It is the second tallest bridge in North Carolina—after the Peter Guice Memorial Bridge—with a deck height of 220 ft (67 m).[2] Construction of the bridge was finished in 2002.[1] 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 design incorporates a special system which sprays de-icing liquid onto the bridge deck whenever icing is detected.[2]
The section of I-26 from U.S. Route 19 to the border with Tennessee was designated a scenic highway by the North Carolina Board of Transportation.[2]
