US Bridges

Mountain Valley RD over Cowpasture River

Fair

Bath County, Virginia · 1.00 to 690 & 2.68 to 688 · Structure no. 000000000002424

Built
1939
86 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
395 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
1,574
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Mountain Valley RD over Cowpasture River is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Mountain Valley RD over Cowpasture River in Bath County, Virginia. It was built in 1939, so it is 86 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 1,574 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,631 by 2045. The structure is 395 ft (120.3 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 18 mi (29 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesMountain Valley RD
CrossesCowpasture River
Location1.00 to 690 & 2.68 to 688
RouteState Highway 39
CountyBath County
StateVirginia
Coordinates38.01499, -79.64092
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionAugust 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 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 rating42.9 US tons
Inventory rating33.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2 (+5 approach)
Design loadH 15
Structure length395 ft (120.3 m)
Longest span91 ft (27.7 m)
Deck width26 ft (8 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,574 (2022)
Projected traffic1,631 by 2045
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed18 mi (29 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$180 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Mountain Valley RD over Cowpasture River built?

It was built in 1939, making it 86 years old in 2025.

What condition is Mountain Valley RD over Cowpasture 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does Mountain Valley RD over Cowpasture River carry?

About 1,574 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Mountain Valley RD over Cowpasture River?

The structure is 395 ft (120.3 m) long with a longest span of 91 ft (27.7 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns Mountain Valley RD over Cowpasture River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.