US Bridges

Lowesville Road over Buffalo River

Good

Amherst County, Virginia · 0.00-RT 617N/0.20-RT 617S · Structure no. 000000000001551

Built
1938
87 years old, rebuilt 2019
Condition
Good
inspected November 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
110 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
1,043
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Lowesville Road over Buffalo River is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Lowesville Road over Buffalo River in Amherst County, Virginia. It was built in 1938 and reconstructed in 2019, so it is 87 years old, older than the Virginia average of 50.7 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 1,043 vehicles a day, projected to reach 1,189 by 2042. The structure is 110 ft (33.4 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

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CarriesLowesville Road
CrossesBuffalo River
Location0.00-RT 617N/0.20-RT 617S
RouteCounty Highway 778
CountyAmherst County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.65448, -79.10304
Functional classRural Major Collector

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
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 evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating96 US tons
Inventory rating74 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHL 93
Structure length110 ft (33.4 m)
Longest span50 ft (15.2 m)
Deck width30 ft (9 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,043 (2022)
Projected traffic1,189 by 2042
Trucks0%
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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$109.4 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Lowesville Road over Buffalo River built?

It was built in 1938, making it 87 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2019.

What condition is Lowesville Road over Buffalo River in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in November 2023.

How much traffic does Lowesville Road over Buffalo River carry?

About 1,043 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Lowesville Road over Buffalo River?

The structure is 110 ft (33.4 m) long with a longest span of 50 ft (15.2 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns Lowesville Road over Buffalo River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.