US Bridges

Christanna Highway over Waqua Creek

Fair

Brunswick County, Virginia · 1.17 FR 729 & 0.68 to 616 · Structure no. 000000000003566

Built
1988
37 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
67 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,775
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Christanna Highway over Waqua Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Christanna Highway over Waqua Creek in Brunswick County, Virginia. It was built in 1988, so it is 37 years old, younger 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 1,775 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,991 by 2042. The structure is 67 ft (20.4 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 39.1 mi (63 km).

Location

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CarriesChristanna Highway
CrossesWaqua Creek
Location1.17 FR 729 & 0.68 to 616
RouteState Highway 46
CountyBrunswick County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.92107, -77.96573
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJuly 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 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 adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating82 US tons
Inventory rating63.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length67 ft (20.4 m)
Longest span65 ft (19.9 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width27 ft (8.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,775 (2022)
Projected traffic1,991 by 2042
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed39.1 mi (63 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 proposedWidening of existing bridge without deck rehabilitation
Estimated improvement cost$322 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Christanna Highway over Waqua Creek built?

It was built in 1988, making it 37 years old in 2025.

What condition is Christanna Highway over Waqua 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 July 2024.

How much traffic does Christanna Highway over Waqua Creek carry?

About 1,775 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Christanna Highway over Waqua Creek?

The structure is 67 ft (20.4 m) long with a longest span of 65 ft (19.9 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns Christanna Highway over Waqua Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.