US Bridges

Elon Road over Cashaw Creek

Fair

Amherst County, Virginia · 0.21-RT 501/3.73-ROCKB Cl · Structure no. 000000000001378

Built
1928
97 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Arch - Deck
Concrete
Length
22 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,750
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Elon Road over Cashaw Creek is a concrete arch - deck carrying Elon Road over Cashaw Creek in Amherst 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 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 1,750 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,980 by 2045. The structure is 22 ft (6.8 m) long and 90 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 47.2 mi (76 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesElon Road
CrossesCashaw Creek
Location0.21-RT 501/3.73-ROCKB Cl
RouteU.S. Route 501
CountyAmherst County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.59476, -79.38177
Functional classRural Minor 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
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.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating99 US tons
Inventory rating99 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length22 ft (6.8 m)
Longest span20 ft (6.1 m)
Deck width90 ft (27.4 m)
Roadway width88 ft (26.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,750 (2022)
Projected traffic1,980 by 2045
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed47.2 mi (76 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$550.6 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Elon Road over Cashaw Creek built?

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

What condition is Elon Road over Cashaw 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 May 2023.

How much traffic does Elon Road over Cashaw Creek carry?

About 1,750 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Elon Road over Cashaw Creek?

The structure is 22 ft (6.8 m) long with a longest span of 20 ft (6.1 m) and a deck 90 ft wide.

Who owns Elon Road over Cashaw Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.