US Bridges

Morning Drive over Knox Creek

FairPosted for load

Buchanan County, Virginia · 0.15-RT.652;0.15-DEAD End · Structure no. 000000000029738

Built
1932
93 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
27 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
60
2011 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Morning Drive over Knox Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Morning Drive over Knox Creek in Buchanan County, Virginia. It was built in 1932, 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 2040. The structure is 27 ft (8.2 m) long and 13 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 198.8 mi (320 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesMorning Drive
CrossesKnox Creek
Location0.15-RT.652;0.15-DEAD End
RouteCity Street 2430
CountyBuchanan County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.3733, -81.94872
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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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 inspectionSeptember 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 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 rating26 US tons
Inventory rating15 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length27 ft (8.2 m)
Longest span26 ft (7.8 m)
Deck width13 ft (4 m)
Roadway width12 ft (3.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic60 (2011)
Projected traffic90 by 2040
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed198.8 mi (320 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$408 million (2019 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Morning Drive over Knox Creek built?

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

What condition is Morning Drive 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 September 2024.

How much traffic does Morning Drive over Knox Creek carry?

About 60 vehicles per day (2011 count).

How long is Morning Drive over Knox Creek?

The structure is 27 ft (8.2 m) long with a longest span of 26 ft (7.8 m) and a deck 13 ft wide.

Who owns Morning Drive over Knox Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.