US Bridges

Puppy Creek Road over Buffalo River

Fair

Amherst County, Virginia · 2.20-RT 717 / .10-RT 60 · Structure no. 000000000001416

Built
1932
93 years old, rebuilt 2008
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
28 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
168
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Puppy Creek Road over Buffalo River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Puppy Creek Road over Buffalo River in Amherst County, Virginia. It was built in 1932 and reconstructed in 2008, so it is 93 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 168 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 187 by 2042. The structure is 28 ft (8.4 m) long and 23 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 9.9 mi (16 km).

Location

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CarriesPuppy Creek Road
CrossesBuffalo River
Location2.20-RT 717 / .10-RT 60
RouteCounty Highway 610
CountyAmherst County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.65579, -79.14958
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionDecember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
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 rating55 US tons
Inventory rating42 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length28 ft (8.4 m)
Longest span26 ft (7.8 m)
Deck width23 ft (7.1 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic168 (2022)
Projected traffic187 by 2042
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed9.9 mi (16 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 Puppy Creek Road over Buffalo River built?

It was built in 1932, making it 93 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2008.

What condition is Puppy Creek Road 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 December 2023.

How much traffic does Puppy Creek Road over Buffalo River carry?

About 168 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Puppy Creek Road over Buffalo River?

The structure is 28 ft (8.4 m) long with a longest span of 26 ft (7.8 m) and a deck 23 ft wide.

Who owns Puppy Creek Road over Buffalo River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.