US Bridges

Tower Hill Road over Slate River

FairPosted for load

Buckingham County, Virginia · 1.60-RT.697 / 1.20-RT.24 · Structure no. 000000000004079

Built
1957
68 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
26 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
38
2018 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Tower Hill Road over Slate River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Tower Hill Road over Slate River in Buckingham County, Virginia. It was built in 1957, so it is 68 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 38 vehicles a day, projected to reach 43 by 2045. The structure is 26 ft (7.8 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.8 mi (11 km).

Location

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CarriesTower Hill Road
CrossesSlate River
Location1.60-RT.697 / 1.20-RT.24
RouteCounty Highway 636
CountyBuckingham County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.47218, -78.68165
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.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJuly 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 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 adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating23 US tons
Inventory rating14 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length26 ft (7.8 m)
Longest span20 ft (6.1 m)
Deck width20 ft (6.1 m)
Roadway width19 ft (5.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic38 (2018)
Projected traffic43 by 2045
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.8 mi (11 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$391 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Tower Hill Road over Slate River built?

It was built in 1957, making it 68 years old in 2025.

What condition is Tower Hill Road over Slate River 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 July 2024.

How much traffic does Tower Hill Road over Slate River carry?

About 38 vehicles per day (2018 count).

How long is Tower Hill Road over Slate River?

The structure is 26 ft (7.8 m) long with a longest span of 20 ft (6.1 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns Tower Hill Road over Slate River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.