US Bridges

Squire Branch Road over Slate Fork

Fair

Buchanan County, Virginia · 0.0-RT. 83; 0.5-DEAD End · Structure no. 000000000030317

Built
2013
12 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
50 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
60
2011 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Squire Branch Road over Slate Fork is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Squire Branch Road over Slate Fork in Buchanan County, Virginia. It was built in 2013, so it is 12 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 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 2042. The structure is 50 ft (15.3 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 198.8 mi (320 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSquire Branch Road
CrossesSlate Fork
Location0.0-RT. 83; 0.5-DEAD End
RouteCity Street 3130
CountyBuchanan County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.30885, -81.96668
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionJanuary 2024
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 geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating58 US tons
Inventory rating43 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length50 ft (15.3 m)
Longest span48 ft (14.7 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width16 ft (4.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic60 (2011)
Projected traffic90 by 2042
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 proposedWidening of existing bridge without deck rehabilitation
Estimated improvement cost$105 million (2019 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Squire Branch Road over Slate Fork built?

It was built in 2013, making it 12 years old in 2025.

What condition is Squire Branch Road over Slate 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 January 2024.

How much traffic does Squire Branch Road over Slate Fork carry?

About 60 vehicles per day (2011 count).

How long is Squire Branch Road over Slate Fork?

The structure is 50 ft (15.3 m) long with a longest span of 48 ft (14.7 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Squire Branch Road over Slate Fork?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.