US Bridges

Chellowe Rd. over Whispering Creek

FairPosted for load

Buckingham County, Virginia · 1.70-RT.632/0.50-RT.792 · Structure no. 000000000004066

Built
1965
60 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
41 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
340
2019 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Chellowe Rd. over Whispering Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Chellowe Rd. over Whispering Creek in Buckingham County, Virginia. It was built in 1965, so it is 60 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 340 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 400 by 2042. The structure is 41 ft (12.6 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

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CarriesChellowe Rd.
CrossesWhispering Creek
Location1.70-RT.632/0.50-RT.792
RouteCounty Highway 623
CountyBuckingham County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.47925, -78.4128
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.
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 inspectionNovember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating46 US tons
Inventory rating28 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length41 ft (12.6 m)
Longest span37 ft (11.2 m)
Deck width20 ft (6.2 m)
Roadway width19 ft (5.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic340 (2019)
Projected traffic400 by 2042
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState 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$495 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Chellowe Rd. over Whispering Creek built?

It was built in 1965, making it 60 years old in 2025.

What condition is Chellowe Rd. over Whispering 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 November 2024.

How much traffic does Chellowe Rd. over Whispering Creek carry?

About 340 vehicles per day (2019 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is Chellowe Rd. over Whispering Creek?

The structure is 41 ft (12.6 m) long with a longest span of 37 ft (11.2 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns Chellowe Rd. over Whispering Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.