US Bridges

Chicken Ridge Rd. over Dismal River

Fair

Buchanan County, Virginia · 4.60 FR 616 - .10 to 638 · Structure no. 000000000003894

Built
1936
89 years old, rebuilt 2004
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
80 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
111
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Chicken Ridge Rd. over Dismal River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Chicken Ridge Rd. over Dismal River in Buchanan County, Virginia. It was built in 1936 and reconstructed in 2004, so it is 89 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 111 vehicles a day, projected to reach 124 by 2045. The structure is 80 ft (24.4 m) long and 21 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 9.9 mi (16 km).

Location

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CarriesChicken Ridge Rd.
CrossesDismal River
Location4.60 FR 616 - .10 to 638
RouteCounty Highway 636
CountyBuchanan County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.22869, -81.81156
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 protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionNovember 2023
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 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 rating58 US tons
Inventory rating45 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length80 ft (24.4 m)
Longest span36 ft (11.1 m)
Deck width21 ft (6.5 m)
Roadway width18 ft (5.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic111 (2022)
Projected traffic124 by 2045
Trucks0%
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 proposedWidening with deck rehabilitation or replacement
Estimated improvement cost$187.9 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Chicken Ridge Rd. over Dismal River built?

It was built in 1936, making it 89 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2004.

What condition is Chicken Ridge Rd. over Dismal River 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 November 2023.

How much traffic does Chicken Ridge Rd. over Dismal River carry?

About 111 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Chicken Ridge Rd. over Dismal River?

The structure is 80 ft (24.4 m) long with a longest span of 36 ft (11.1 m) and a deck 21 ft wide.

Who owns Chicken Ridge Rd. over Dismal River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.