US Bridges

Sparta Rd. over Maracossic Creek

Fair

Caroline County, Virginia · 0.1M RTE640-0.1M RTE654 · Structure no. 000000000004500

Built
1960
65 years old, rebuilt 2016
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
33 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,580
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Sparta Rd. over Maracossic Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Sparta Rd. over Maracossic Creek in Caroline County, Virginia. It was built in 1960 and reconstructed in 2016, so it is 65 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.

It carries about 1,580 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,714 by 2045. The structure is 33 ft (10.1 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 19.9 mi (32 km).

Location

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CarriesSparta Rd.
CrossesMaracossic Creek
Location0.1M RTE640-0.1M RTE654
RouteCounty Highway 721
CountyCaroline County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.98999, -77.24132
Functional classRural Major Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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 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 alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating85.9 US tons
Inventory rating66.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadHL 93
Structure length33 ft (10.1 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.1 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.8 m)
Roadway width23 ft (7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,580 (2022)
Projected traffic1,714 by 2045
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed19.9 mi (32 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$600 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Sparta Rd. over Maracossic Creek built?

It was built in 1960, making it 65 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2016.

What condition is Sparta Rd. over Maracossic 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 Sparta Rd. over Maracossic Creek carry?

About 1,580 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Sparta Rd. over Maracossic Creek?

The structure is 33 ft (10.1 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns Sparta Rd. over Maracossic Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.