US Bridges

Spur Branch Road over Little Walker Creek

Fair

Bland County, Virginia · 1.20FR 632; 0.02TO 601 · Structure no. 000000000003044

Built
1953
72 years old, rebuilt 2021
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
87 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
62
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Spur Branch Road over Little Walker Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Spur Branch Road over Little Walker Creek in Bland County, Virginia. It was built in 1953 and reconstructed in 2021, so it is 72 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 62 vehicles a day, projected to reach 92 by 2045. The structure is 87 ft (26.5 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 100 mi (161 km).

Location

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CarriesSpur Branch Road
CrossesLittle Walker Creek
Location1.20FR 632; 0.02TO 601
RouteCounty Highway 602
CountyBland County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.09031, -80.92471
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
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 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating84 US tons
Inventory rating64 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans3
Design loadHL 93
Structure length87 ft (26.5 m)
Longest span29 ft (8.8 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic62 (2021)
Projected traffic92 by 2045
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed100 mi (161 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$273 million (2018 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Spur Branch Road over Little Walker Creek built?

It was built in 1953, making it 72 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2021.

What condition is Spur Branch Road over Little Walker 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 2023.

How much traffic does Spur Branch Road over Little Walker Creek carry?

About 62 vehicles per day (2021 count).

How long is Spur Branch Road over Little Walker Creek?

The structure is 87 ft (26.5 m) long with a longest span of 29 ft (8.8 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Spur Branch Road over Little Walker Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.