US Bridges

Sun Branch Road over Slate Creek

Good

Buchanan County, Virginia · 0.00 Rt 83/ 0.10 Dead End · Structure no. 000000000030802

Built
2015
10 years old
Condition
Good
inspected October 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
34 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
60
2011 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Sun Branch Road over Slate Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Sun Branch Road over Slate Creek in Buchanan County, Virginia. It was built in 2015, so it is 10 years old, younger than the Virginia average of 50.7 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 60 vehicles a day, projected to reach 90 by 2042. The structure is 34 ft (10.5 m) long and 18 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 198.8 mi (320 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSun Branch Road
CrossesSlate Creek
Location0.00 Rt 83/ 0.10 Dead End
RouteCity Street 3106
CountyBuchanan County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.31599, -82.00014
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation7: Better than 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 rating79 US tons
Inventory rating61 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length34 ft (10.5 m)
Longest span31 ft (9.6 m)
Deck width18 ft (5.5 m)
Roadway width17 ft (5.2 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$143 million (2018 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Sun Branch Road over Slate Creek built?

It was built in 2015, making it 10 years old in 2025.

What condition is Sun Branch Road over Slate Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in October 2023.

How much traffic does Sun Branch Road over Slate Creek carry?

About 60 vehicles per day (2011 count).

How long is Sun Branch Road over Slate Creek?

The structure is 34 ft (10.5 m) long with a longest span of 31 ft (9.6 m) and a deck 18 ft wide.

Who owns Sun Branch Road over Slate Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.