US Bridges

Potts Creek Road over Potts Creek

Fair

Alleghany County, Virginia · .50 to 656 & 2.50 to 1215 · Structure no. 000000000000912

Built
1941
84 years old, rebuilt 2002
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
213 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
1,563
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Potts Creek Road over Potts Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Potts Creek Road over Potts Creek in Alleghany County, Virginia. It was built in 1941 and reconstructed in 2002, so it is 84 years old, older 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 6 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 1,563 vehicles a day, projected to reach 1,743 by 2042. The structure is 213 ft (64.8 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.8 mi (11 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesPotts Creek Road
CrossesPotts Creek
Location.50 to 656 & 2.50 to 1215
RouteState Highway 18
CountyAlleghany County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.75136, -80.03099
Functional classRural Major Collector

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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionApril 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating47.1 US tons
Inventory rating36.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans5
Design loadH 15
Structure length213 ft (64.8 m)
Longest span43 ft (13 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.9 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,563 (2022)
Projected traffic1,743 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.8 mi (11 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$930 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Potts Creek Road over Potts Creek built?

It was built in 1941, making it 84 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2002.

What condition is Potts Creek Road over Potts Creek 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 April 2024.

How much traffic does Potts Creek Road over Potts Creek carry?

About 1,563 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Potts Creek Road over Potts Creek?

The structure is 213 ft (64.8 m) long with a longest span of 43 ft (13 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns Potts Creek Road over Potts Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.