US Bridges

Douthat Road over Wilson Creek

Poor

Bath County, Virginia · 12.73 to 683& 1.07 to Acl · Structure no. 000000000002523

Built
1932
93 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected April 2024
Type
Arch - Deck
Steel
Length
21 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
465
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Douthat Road over Wilson Creek is a steel arch - deck carrying Douthat Road over Wilson Creek in Bath County, Virginia. It was built in 1932, so it is 93 years old, older than the Virginia average of 50.7 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 465 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 679 by 2045. The structure is 21 ft (6.4 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 29.8 mi (48 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesDouthat Road
CrossesWilson Creek
Location12.73 to 683& 1.07 to Acl
RouteCounty Highway 629
CountyBath County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.89431, -79.80168
Functional classRural Minor Collector

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionApril 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating59 US tons
Inventory rating35.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialSteel
DeckNot applicable
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length21 ft (6.4 m)
Longest span21 ft (6.4 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.4 m)
Roadway width21 ft (6.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic465 (2022)
Projected traffic679 by 2045
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed29.8 mi (48 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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$40 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Douthat Road over Wilson Creek built?

It was built in 1932, making it 93 years old in 2025.

What condition is Douthat Road over Wilson Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in April 2024.

How much traffic does Douthat Road over Wilson Creek carry?

About 465 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Douthat Road over Wilson Creek?

The structure is 21 ft (6.4 m) long with a longest span of 21 ft (6.4 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns Douthat Road over Wilson Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.