US Bridges

Guesses Fork Rd. over Knox Creek

Fair

Buchanan County, Virginia · At R643; 3.0 to R647 · Structure no. 000000000003928

Built
1975
50 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
110 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
753
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Guesses Fork Rd. over Knox Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying Guesses Fork Rd. over Knox Creek in Buchanan County, Virginia. It was built in 1975, so it is 50 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 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 753 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 840 by 2045. The structure is 110 ft (33.5 m) long and 34 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.8 mi (159 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesGuesses Fork Rd.
CrossesKnox Creek
LocationAt R643; 3.0 to R647
RouteCounty Highway 646
CountyBuchanan County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.43487, -82.03325
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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 inspectionJuly 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 adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating75 US tons
Inventory rating48 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length110 ft (33.5 m)
Longest span40 ft (12.2 m)
Deck width34 ft (10.4 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic753 (2022)
Projected traffic840 by 2045
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed98.8 mi (159 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$375.7 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Guesses Fork Rd. over Knox Creek built?

It was built in 1975, making it 50 years old in 2025.

What condition is Guesses Fork Rd. over Knox 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 2023.

How much traffic does Guesses Fork Rd. over Knox Creek carry?

About 753 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Guesses Fork Rd. over Knox Creek?

The structure is 110 ft (33.5 m) long with a longest span of 40 ft (12.2 m) and a deck 34 ft wide.

Who owns Guesses Fork Rd. over Knox Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.