US Bridges

Suiter Road over Laurel Creek

Fair

Bland County, Virginia · 1.45 FR 618 -1.75 to 620 · Structure no. 000000000003091

Built
1960
65 years old, rebuilt 2007
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
26 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
34
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Suiter Road over Laurel Creek is a concrete slab carrying Suiter Road over Laurel Creek in Bland County, Virginia. It was built in 1960 and reconstructed in 2007, so it is 65 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 34 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 49 by 2042. The structure is 26 ft (7.9 m) long and 18 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 9.9 mi (16 km).

Location

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CarriesSuiter Road
CrossesLaurel Creek
Location1.45 FR 618 -1.75 to 620
RouteCounty Highway 615
CountyBland County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.10412, -81.20167
Functional classRural Minor 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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMarch 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating57 US tons
Inventory rating44 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length26 ft (7.9 m)
Longest span24 ft (7.4 m)
Deck width18 ft (5.5 m)
Roadway width17 ft (5.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic34 (2022)
Projected traffic49 by 2042
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$39 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Suiter Road over Laurel Creek built?

It was built in 1960, making it 65 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2007.

What condition is Suiter Road over Laurel 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 March 2024.

How much traffic does Suiter Road over Laurel Creek carry?

About 34 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is Suiter Road over Laurel Creek?

The structure is 26 ft (7.9 m) long with a longest span of 24 ft (7.4 m) and a deck 18 ft wide.

Who owns Suiter Road over Laurel Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.