Laurel Creek Gorge Bridge

The Laurel Creek Gorge Bridge is a continuous steel plate girder bridge that spans Laurel Creek on Interstate 26/U.S. Route 19/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]

Laurel Creek Gorge Bridge
Coordinates	35.91704°N 82.55788°W / 35.91704; -82.55788
Carries	6 general purpose lanes of I-26 / US 19 / 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

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]