US Bridges

Mountain Valley RD over Little Back Creek

Fair

Bath County, Virginia · 1.52 to 686 & 0.03 to 601 · Structure no. 000000000002420

Built
1927
98 years old, rebuilt 1985
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2023
Type
Slab
Prestressed Concrete
Length
73 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
245
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Mountain Valley RD over Little Back Creek is a prestressed concrete slab carrying Mountain Valley RD over Little Back Creek in Bath County, Virginia. It was built in 1927 and reconstructed in 1985, so it is 98 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 245 vehicles a day, projected to reach 273 by 2045. The structure is 73 ft (22.1 m) long and 36 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 49.7 mi (80 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesMountain Valley RD
CrossesLittle Back Creek
Location1.52 to 686 & 0.03 to 601
RouteState Highway 39
CountyBath County
StateVirginia
Coordinates38.1223, -79.91656
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
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.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating99 US tons
Inventory rating98 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckOther
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length73 ft (22.1 m)
Longest span36 ft (11 m)
Deck width36 ft (11 m)
Roadway width32 ft (9.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic245 (2022)
Projected traffic273 by 2045
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed49.7 mi (80 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 Mountain Valley RD over Little Back Creek built?

It was built in 1927, making it 98 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1985.

What condition is Mountain Valley RD over Little Back 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 June 2023.

How much traffic does Mountain Valley RD over Little Back Creek carry?

About 245 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Mountain Valley RD over Little Back Creek?

The structure is 73 ft (22.1 m) long with a longest span of 36 ft (11 m) and a deck 36 ft wide.

Who owns Mountain Valley RD over Little Back Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.