US Bridges

South Scenic HWY over Walkers Creek

Fair

Bland County, Virginia · 0.62 FR 42 W; 3.56 to Wcl · Structure no. 000000000002964

Built
1930
95 years old, rebuilt 2014
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
99 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
197
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

South Scenic HWY over Walkers Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying South Scenic HWY over Walkers Creek in Bland County, Virginia. It was built in 1930 and reconstructed in 2014, so it is 95 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 197 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 220 by 2042. The structure is 99 ft (30.1 m) long and 27 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 9.9 mi (16 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSouth Scenic HWY
CrossesWalkers Creek
Location0.62 FR 42 W; 3.56 to Wcl
RouteU.S. Route 52
CountyBland County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.05841, -81.17961
Functional classRural Major Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionOctober 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
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 alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating87 US tons
Inventory rating67 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHL 93
Structure length99 ft (30.1 m)
Longest span32 ft (9.9 m)
Deck width27 ft (8.1 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic197 (2022)
Projected traffic220 by 2042
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed9.9 mi (16 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$362.7 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was South Scenic HWY over Walkers Creek built?

It was built in 1930, making it 95 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2014.

What condition is South Scenic HWY over Walkers 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 October 2024.

How much traffic does South Scenic HWY over Walkers Creek carry?

About 197 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is South Scenic HWY over Walkers Creek?

The structure is 99 ft (30.1 m) long with a longest span of 32 ft (9.9 m) and a deck 27 ft wide.

Who owns South Scenic HWY over Walkers Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.