US Bridges

Kanawha Trail over Dunlap Creek

FairPosted for load

Alleghany County, Virginia · 0.99 Rt 159 - 0.71 Rt 650 · Structure no. 000000000001056

Built
1936
89 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2025
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
109 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
635
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Kanawha Trail over Dunlap Creek is a steel truss - thru carrying Kanawha Trail over Dunlap Creek in Alleghany County, Virginia. It was built in 1936, so it is 89 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 5 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 635 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 708 by 2045. The structure is 109 ft (33.1 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 32.9 mi (53 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesKanawha Trail
CrossesDunlap Creek
Location0.99 Rt 159 - 0.71 Rt 650
RouteState Highway 311
CountyAlleghany County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.70667, -80.21071
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.
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 inspectionFebruary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
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 adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating37 US tons
Inventory rating22 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length109 ft (33.1 m)
Longest span105 ft (32 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.3 m)
Roadway width23 ft (7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic635 (2022)
Projected traffic708 by 2045
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed32.9 mi (53 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$685 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Kanawha Trail over Dunlap Creek built?

It was built in 1936, making it 89 years old in 2025.

What condition is Kanawha Trail over Dunlap 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 February 2025.

How much traffic does Kanawha Trail over Dunlap Creek carry?

About 635 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Kanawha Trail over Dunlap Creek?

The structure is 109 ft (33.1 m) long with a longest span of 105 ft (32 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns Kanawha Trail over Dunlap Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.