US Bridges

Potts Creek Road over Potts Creek

Fair

Alleghany County, Virginia · 0.03 to 1211 & .65 to 615 · Structure no. 000000000000913

Built
1954
71 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
315 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
1,259
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Potts Creek Road over Potts Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Potts Creek Road over Potts Creek in Alleghany County, Virginia. It was built in 1954, so it is 71 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 1,259 vehicles a day, projected to reach 1,404 by 2042. The structure is 315 ft (96 m) long and 27 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesPotts Creek Road
CrossesPotts Creek
Location0.03 to 1211 & .65 to 615
RouteState Highway 18
CountyAlleghany County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.73489, -80.03238
Functional classUrban 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 adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating50 US tons
Inventory rating39 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans5
Design loadHS 15
Structure length315 ft (96 m)
Longest span64 ft (19.5 m)
Deck width27 ft (8.3 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,259 (2022)
Projected traffic1,404 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$75 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Potts Creek Road over Potts Creek built?

It was built in 1954, making it 71 years old in 2025.

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 1,259 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Potts Creek Road over Potts Creek?

The structure is 315 ft (96 m) long with a longest span of 64 ft (19.5 m) and a deck 27 ft wide.

Who owns Potts Creek Road over Potts Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.