US Bridges

Gatewood DR over Little Back Creek

Fair

Bath County, Virginia · 0.18 to 39W & .15 to 39E · Structure no. 000000000002544

Built
1912
113 years old, rebuilt 2011
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2024
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
56 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
35
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Gatewood DR over Little Back Creek is a steel truss - thru carrying Gatewood DR over Little Back Creek in Bath County, Virginia. It was built in 1912 and reconstructed in 2011, so it is 113 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 6 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 35 vehicles a day, projected to reach 44 by 2042. The structure is 56 ft (17.1 m) long and 13 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesGatewood DR
CrossesLittle Back Creek
Location0.18 to 39W & .15 to 39E
RouteCounty Highway 676
CountyBath County
StateVirginia
Coordinates38.09981, -79.88849
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionNovember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating75.9 US tons
Inventory rating45 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length56 ft (17.1 m)
Longest span54 ft (16.5 m)
Deck width13 ft (3.9 m)
Roadway width12 ft (3.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic35 (2021)
Projected traffic44 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 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$300 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Gatewood DR over Little Back Creek built?

It was built in 1912, making it 113 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2011.

What condition is Gatewood DR 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 November 2024.

How much traffic does Gatewood DR over Little Back Creek carry?

About 35 vehicles per day (2021 count).

How long is Gatewood DR over Little Back Creek?

The structure is 56 ft (17.1 m) long with a longest span of 54 ft (16.5 m) and a deck 13 ft wide.

Who owns Gatewood DR over Little Back Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.