Some context. This road is entirely outside the city limits of Hickory (the city's zoning ETJ extends to one side of the creek in question). In NC, only cities and the state maintain roads, not counties. Outside of a city, almost all roads outside of a neighborhood are state "secondary routes," which have a number but are referred to by name. Some neighborhood roads are, and some aren't. This one is not, and apparently no private entity is actively maintaining it.
These "orphan roads" have become a statewide problem. Normally, the issue is not as severe as this--just a road that needs paving. The rule is that NCDOT will usually accept the road, but only after it is fully maintained. Wake County has a program to fund this and assess a special tax on the owners to repay the cost: https://www.wake.gov/departments-government/planning-develop...
These "orphan roads" have become a statewide problem. Normally, the issue is not as severe as this--just a road that needs paving. The rule is that NCDOT will usually accept the road, but only after it is fully maintained. Wake County has a program to fund this and assess a special tax on the owners to repay the cost: https://www.wake.gov/departments-government/planning-develop...
Good image of bridge in 2021: http://gis.catawbacountync.gov/_TileStitch/printn7q2sl.jpg City Limits (dark) and ETJ (light): http://gis.catawbacountync.gov/_TileStitch/printszuxzi.jpg