US Bridges

Tester Bridge over Left Fork

Fair

Buchanan County, Virginia · 0.0-RT. 645; 0.0-DEAD End · Structure no. 000000000029822

Built
1932
93 years old, rebuilt 2013
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
30 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
60
2012 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Tester Bridge over Left Fork is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Tester Bridge over Left Fork 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 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 60 vehicles a day, projected to reach 90 by 2041. The structure is 30 ft (9.1 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 123.7 mi (199 km).

Location

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CarriesTester Bridge
CrossesLeft Fork
Location0.0-RT. 645; 0.0-DEAD End
CountyBuchanan County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.41426, -82.09999
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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionAugust 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 geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating51 US tons
Inventory rating30 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length30 ft (9.1 m)
Longest span26 ft (7.8 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.8 m)
Roadway width15 ft (4.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic60 (2012)
Projected traffic90 by 2041
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed123.7 mi (199 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$429 million (2018 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Tester Bridge over Left Fork built?

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

What condition is Tester Bridge over Left Fork 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 2023.

How much traffic does Tester Bridge over Left Fork carry?

About 60 vehicles per day (2012 count).

How long is Tester Bridge over Left Fork?

The structure is 30 ft (9.1 m) long with a longest span of 26 ft (7.8 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Tester Bridge over Left Fork?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.