US Bridges

Cooper Bridge Rd. over Knox Creek

FairPosted for load

Buchanan County, Virginia · 0.0-RT. 643; 0.0-DEAD End · Structure no. 000000000029729

Built
1932
93 years old, rebuilt 2013
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Concrete Continuous
Length
44 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
60
2011 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Cooper Bridge Rd. over Knox Creek is a concrete continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Cooper Bridge Rd. over Knox Creek in Buchanan County, Virginia. It was built in 1932 and reconstructed in 2013, so it is 93 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 60 vehicles a day, projected to reach 90 by 2039. The structure is 44 ft (13.4 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.8 mi (159 km).

Location

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CarriesCooper Bridge Rd.
CrossesKnox Creek
Location0.0-RT. 643; 0.0-DEAD End
CountyBuchanan County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.40061, -82.00786
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionAugust 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating27 US tons
Inventory rating16 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length44 ft (13.4 m)
Longest span40 ft (12.2 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width15 ft (4.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic60 (2011)
Projected traffic90 by 2039
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed98.8 mi (159 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$554 million (2018 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Cooper Bridge Rd. over Knox Creek built?

It was built in 1932, making it 93 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2013.

What condition is Cooper Bridge 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 August 2024.

How much traffic does Cooper Bridge Rd. over Knox Creek carry?

About 60 vehicles per day (2011 count).

How long is Cooper Bridge Rd. over Knox Creek?

The structure is 44 ft (13.4 m) long with a longest span of 40 ft (12.2 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Cooper Bridge Rd. over Knox Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.