US Bridges

Forest Road over Blue Suck Branch

Fair

Alleghany County, Virginia · Off SR 850 · Structure no. 080803000003183

Built
1946
79 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2025
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
32 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
75
1998 count
Owner
Federal
U.S. Forest Service

About this bridge

Forest Road over Blue Suck Branch is a concrete tee beam carrying Forest Road over Blue Suck Branch in Alleghany County, Virginia. It was built in 1946, so it is 79 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.

It carries about 75 vehicles a day, projected to reach 50 by 2005. The structure is 32 ft (9.7 m) long and 21 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.2 mi (158 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesForest Road
CrossesBlue Suck Branch
LocationOff SR 850
RouteFederal Lands Road 172
CountyAlleghany County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.79, -79.70001
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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 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 rating31.7 US tons
Inventory rating24.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length32 ft (9.7 m)
Longest span29 ft (8.9 m)
Deck width21 ft (6.3 m)
Roadway width19 ft (5.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic75 (1998)
Projected traffic50 by 2005
Trucks—
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed98.2 mi (158 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerU.S. Forest Service
Maintained byU.S. Forest Service
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedOther structural work, including hydraulic replacements
Estimated improvement cost$8 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Forest Road over Blue Suck Branch built?

It was built in 1946, making it 79 years old in 2025.

What condition is Forest Road over Blue Suck Branch 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 Forest Road over Blue Suck Branch carry?

About 75 vehicles per day (1998 count).

How long is Forest Road over Blue Suck Branch?

The structure is 32 ft (9.7 m) long with a longest span of 29 ft (8.9 m) and a deck 21 ft wide.

Who owns Forest Road over Blue Suck Branch?

It is owned by the U.S. Forest Service.