US Bridges

Ware Creek Rd. over Ware Creek

Fair

Caroline County, Virginia · 0.2M RTE17-1.2M RTE615 · Structure no. 000000000004457

Built
1914
111 years old, rebuilt 2001
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2023
Type
Slab
Wood or Timber
Length
45 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
323
2019 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Ware Creek Rd. over Ware Creek is a wood or timber slab carrying Ware Creek Rd. over Ware Creek in Caroline County, Virginia. It was built in 1914 and reconstructed in 2001, so it is 111 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 323 vehicles a day, projected to reach 491 by 2045. The structure is 45 ft (13.7 m) long and 15 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesWare Creek Rd.
CrossesWare Creek
Location0.2M RTE17-1.2M RTE615
RouteCounty Highway 614
CountyCaroline County
StateVirginia
Coordinates38.22146, -77.29898
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionFebruary 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 geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating82.2 US tons
Inventory rating58.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length45 ft (13.7 m)
Longest span22 ft (6.7 m)
Deck width15 ft (4.5 m)
Roadway width13 ft (3.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic323 (2019)
Projected traffic491 by 2045
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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$300 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Ware Creek Rd. over Ware Creek built?

It was built in 1914, making it 111 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2001.

What condition is Ware Creek Rd. over Ware 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 February 2023.

How much traffic does Ware Creek Rd. over Ware Creek carry?

About 323 vehicles per day (2019 count).

How long is Ware Creek Rd. over Ware Creek?

The structure is 45 ft (13.7 m) long with a longest span of 22 ft (6.7 m) and a deck 15 ft wide.

Who owns Ware Creek Rd. over Ware Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.