US Bridges

Wilderness Road over Dismal Creek

Fair

Buchanan County, Virginia · .75 End MAIN&.13 FR R638 · Structure no. 000000000003961

Built
1967
58 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
105 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
1,339
2015 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Wilderness Road over Dismal Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying Wilderness Road over Dismal Creek in Buchanan County, Virginia. It was built in 1967, so it is 58 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 1,339 vehicles a day, roughly 25% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,521 by 2042. The structure is 105 ft (32 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 198.8 mi (320 km).

Location

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CarriesWilderness Road
CrossesDismal Creek
Location.75 End MAIN&.13 FR R638
RouteCounty Highway 666
CountyBuchanan County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.24062, -82.03229
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionAugust 2024
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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating51 US tons
Inventory rating30 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length105 ft (32 m)
Longest span40 ft (12.2 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,339 (2015)
Projected traffic1,521 by 2042
Trucks25%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed198.8 mi (320 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Wilderness Road over Dismal Creek built?

It was built in 1967, making it 58 years old in 2025.

What condition is Wilderness Road over Dismal 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 August 2024.

How much traffic does Wilderness Road over Dismal Creek carry?

About 1,339 vehicles per day (2015 count), of which roughly 25% are trucks.

How long is Wilderness Road over Dismal Creek?

The structure is 105 ft (32 m) long with a longest span of 40 ft (12.2 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns Wilderness Road over Dismal Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.