US Bridges

Mountain Valley RD over Little Back Creek

Fair

Bath County, Virginia · 0.02 to 676 & 0.46 to 600 · Structure no. 000000000002430

Built
1950
75 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
87 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
357
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Mountain Valley RD over Little Back Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Mountain Valley RD over Little Back Creek in Bath County, Virginia. It was built in 1950, so it is 75 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 357 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 398 by 2042. The structure is 87 ft (26.4 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesMountain Valley RD
CrossesLittle Back Creek
Location0.02 to 676 & 0.46 to 600
RouteState Highway 39
CountyBath County
StateVirginia
Coordinates38.09885, -79.88599
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.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJune 2024
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 alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating43 US tons
Inventory rating33.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadH 15
Structure length87 ft (26.4 m)
Longest span42 ft (12.8 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.2 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic357 (2022)
Projected traffic398 by 2042
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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$400 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Mountain Valley RD over Little Back Creek built?

It was built in 1950, making it 75 years old in 2025.

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 2024.

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

About 357 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Mountain Valley RD over Little Back Creek?

The structure is 87 ft (26.4 m) long with a longest span of 42 ft (12.8 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns Mountain Valley RD over Little Back Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.