US Bridges

Blue Ridge Parkway over James River & U.S. Route

Fair

Bedford County, Virginia · 2.0 Miles to Va Route 130 · Structure no. 5140016P0000000

Built
1959
66 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
1,045 ft
11 main spans
Daily traffic
474
2012 count
Owner
Federal
National Park Service

About this bridge

Blue Ridge Parkway over James River & U.S. Route is a concrete tee beam carrying Blue Ridge Parkway over James River & U.S. Route in Bedford County, Virginia. It was built in 1959, so it is 66 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 474 vehicles a day, projected to reach 521 by 2032. The structure is 1,045 ft (318.5 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBlue Ridge Parkway
CrossesJames River & U.S. Route
Location2.0 Miles to Va Route 130
RouteFederal Lands Road 1
CountyBedford County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.55492, -79.36986
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 inspectionJune 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating36 US tons
Inventory rating20.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans11
Design loadH 15
Structure length1,045 ft (318.5 m)
Longest span100 ft (30.5 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.1 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic474 (2012)
Projected traffic521 by 2032
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesHighway, waterway and railroad
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerNational Park Service
Maintained byNational Park Service
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$1 million (2022 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Blue Ridge Parkway over James River & U.S. Route built?

It was built in 1959, making it 66 years old in 2025.

What condition is Blue Ridge Parkway over James River & U.S. Route 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 Blue Ridge Parkway over James River & U.S. Route carry?

About 474 vehicles per day (2012 count).

How long is Blue Ridge Parkway over James River & U.S. Route?

The structure is 1,045 ft (318.5 m) long with a longest span of 100 ft (30.5 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns Blue Ridge Parkway over James River & U.S. Route?

It is owned by the National Park Service.