US Bridges

Dunlap Creek Road over Dunlap Creek

PoorPosted for load

Alleghany County, Virginia · 1.40 to 311 & 0.95 to 717 · Structure no. 000000000001032

Built
1928
97 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected January 2024
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
96 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
649
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Dunlap Creek Road over Dunlap Creek is a steel truss - thru carrying Dunlap Creek Road over Dunlap Creek in Alleghany County, Virginia. It was built in 1928, so it is 97 years old, older than the Virginia average of 50.7 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 649 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 724 by 2045. The structure is 96 ft (29.3 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 14.9 mi (24 km).

CarriesDunlap Creek Road
CrossesDunlap Creek
Location1.40 to 311 & 0.95 to 717
RouteState Highway 159
Coordinates37.73459, -80.19078
Functional classRural Major Collector

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionJanuary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
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 rating44 US tons
Inventory rating26 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length96 ft (29.3 m)
Longest span96 ft (29.3 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.3 m)
Roadway width23 ft (7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic649 (2022)
Projected traffic724 by 2045
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed14.9 mi (24 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$480 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Dunlap Creek Road over Dunlap Creek built?

It was built in 1928, making it 97 years old in 2025.

What condition is Dunlap Creek Road over Dunlap Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in January 2024.

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

About 649 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Dunlap Creek Road over Dunlap Creek?

The structure is 96 ft (29.3 m) long with a longest span of 96 ft (29.3 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns Dunlap Creek Road over Dunlap Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.