US Bridges

N Coolwell Road over NS Railroad

Fair

Amherst County, Virginia · .05-RT 661/.68-RT 604 · Structure no. 000000000001512

Built
1955
70 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
128 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
1,860
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

N Coolwell Road over NS Railroad is a concrete tee beam carrying N Coolwell Road over NS Railroad in Amherst County, Virginia. It was built in 1955, so it is 70 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 1,860 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,317 by 2042. The structure is 128 ft (39.1 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesN Coolwell Road
CrossesNS Railroad
Location.05-RT 661/.68-RT 604
RouteCounty Highway 663
CountyAmherst County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.52803, -79.09056
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
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.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMarch 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating50 US tons
Inventory rating30 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length128 ft (39.1 m)
Longest span42 ft (12.8 m)
Deck width26 ft (8 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,860 (2022)
Projected traffic2,317 by 2042
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRailroad
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$767 million
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was N Coolwell Road over NS Railroad built?

It was built in 1955, making it 70 years old in 2025.

What condition is N Coolwell Road over NS Railroad 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 March 2024.

How much traffic does N Coolwell Road over NS Railroad carry?

About 1,860 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is N Coolwell Road over NS Railroad?

The structure is 128 ft (39.1 m) long with a longest span of 42 ft (12.8 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns N Coolwell Road over NS Railroad?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.