US Bridges

Patrick Henry Hwy. over Piney River

Fair

Amherst County, Virginia · .00 Amh Cl / .00 Nel Cl · Structure no. 000000000001394

Built
1970
55 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
101 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
2,269
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Patrick Henry Hwy. over Piney River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Patrick Henry Hwy. over Piney River in Amherst County, Virginia. It was built in 1970, so it is 55 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 2,269 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,530 by 2045. The structure is 101 ft (30.8 m) long and 34 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesPatrick Henry Hwy.
CrossesPiney River
Location.00 Amh Cl / .00 Nel Cl
RouteState Highway 151
CountyAmherst County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.70236, -79.02742
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating77.1 US tons
Inventory rating59 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length101 ft (30.8 m)
Longest span95 ft (28.9 m)
Deck width34 ft (10.3 m)
Roadway width31 ft (9.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,269 (2022)
Projected traffic2,530 by 2045
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Patrick Henry Hwy. over Piney River built?

It was built in 1970, making it 55 years old in 2025.

What condition is Patrick Henry Hwy. over Piney 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 June 2023.

How much traffic does Patrick Henry Hwy. over Piney River carry?

About 2,269 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Patrick Henry Hwy. over Piney River?

The structure is 101 ft (30.8 m) long with a longest span of 95 ft (28.9 m) and a deck 34 ft wide.

Who owns Patrick Henry Hwy. over Piney River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.