US Bridges

Amherst Highway over Buffalo River

Fair

Amherst County, Virginia · 0.00-RT.608 / 0.60-RT.739 · Structure no. 000000000001338

Built
1971
54 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
231 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
17,350
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Amherst Highway over Buffalo River is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Amherst Highway over Buffalo River in Amherst County, Virginia. It was built in 1971, so it is 54 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 17,350 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 22,133 by 2045. The structure is 231 ft (70.5 m) long and 42 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesAmherst Highway
CrossesBuffalo River
Location0.00-RT.608 / 0.60-RT.739
RouteU.S. Route 29
CountyAmherst County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.60524, -79.02644
Functional classUrban Other Principal Arterial

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.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating65 US tons
Inventory rating50 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length231 ft (70.5 m)
Longest span90 ft (27.4 m)
Deck width42 ft (12.8 m)
Roadway width38 ft (11.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic17,350 (2022)
Projected traffic22,133 by 2045
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

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—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Amherst Highway over Buffalo River built?

It was built in 1971, making it 54 years old in 2025.

What condition is Amherst Highway over Buffalo River 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does Amherst Highway over Buffalo River carry?

About 17,350 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Amherst Highway over Buffalo River?

The structure is 231 ft (70.5 m) long with a longest span of 90 ft (27.4 m) and a deck 42 ft wide.

Who owns Amherst Highway over Buffalo River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.