US Bridges

High Peak Road over Harris Creek

Fair

Amherst County, Virginia · .65-RT.656/.32-RT.657 · Structure no. 000000000001476

Built
1959
66 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
131 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
1,461
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

High Peak Road over Harris Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying High Peak Road over Harris Creek in Amherst County, Virginia. It was built in 1959, so it is 66 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 1,461 vehicles a day, projected to reach 1,629 by 2042. The structure is 131 ft (39.8 m) long and 29 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesHigh Peak Road
CrossesHarris Creek
Location.65-RT.656/.32-RT.657
RouteCounty Highway 636
CountyAmherst County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.52438, -79.13859
Functional classRural Major Collector

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.
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 protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionNovember 2023
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 adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating61.9 US tons
Inventory rating48 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 15
Structure length131 ft (39.8 m)
Longest span43 ft (13 m)
Deck width29 ft (8.8 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,461 (2022)
Projected traffic1,629 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 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$720 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was High Peak Road over Harris Creek built?

It was built in 1959, making it 66 years old in 2025.

What condition is High Peak Road over Harris 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 November 2023.

How much traffic does High Peak Road over Harris Creek carry?

About 1,461 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is High Peak Road over Harris Creek?

The structure is 131 ft (39.8 m) long with a longest span of 43 ft (13 m) and a deck 29 ft wide.

Who owns High Peak Road over Harris Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.