US Bridges

Beach Road over Assateague Channel

Fair

Accomack County, Virginia · Entrance to Chincoteague · Structure no. 4190001P0000000

Built
1980
45 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete
Length
833 ft
13 main spans
Daily traffic
2,355
2007 count
Owner
Federal
National Park Service

About this bridge

Beach Road over Assateague Channel is a prestressed concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Beach Road over Assateague Channel in Accomack County, Virginia. It was built in 1980, so it is 45 years old, younger than the Virginia average of 50.7 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 5 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

It carries about 2,355 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,591 by 2027. The structure is 833 ft (253.9 m) long and 45 ft wide.

Location

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CarriesBeach Road
CrossesAssateague Channel
LocationEntrance to Chincoteague
RouteFederal Lands Road 11
CountyAccomack County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.91714, -75.35053
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating45 US tons
Inventory rating27 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans13
Design loadHS 20
Structure length833 ft (253.9 m)
Longest span64 ft (19.5 m)
Deck width45 ft (13.6 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,355 (2007)
Projected traffic2,591 by 2027
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed—
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerNational Park Service
Maintained byNational Park Service
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNavigation control on waterway (bridge permit required)

Frequently asked questions

When was Beach Road over Assateague Channel built?

It was built in 1980, making it 45 years old in 2025.

What condition is Beach Road over Assateague Channel in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in fair condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. The last reported inspection was in August 2023.

How much traffic does Beach Road over Assateague Channel carry?

About 2,355 vehicles per day (2007 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Beach Road over Assateague Channel?

The structure is 833 ft (253.9 m) long with a longest span of 64 ft (19.5 m) and a deck 45 ft wide.

Who owns Beach Road over Assateague Channel?

It is owned by the National Park Service.