US Bridges

Thomas Jefferson H over Wards Fork Creek

Fair

Charlotte County, Virginia · 0.35 Rt 661 / 0.55 Rt 660 · Structure no. 000000000004842

Built
1939
86 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
83 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
1,630
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Thomas Jefferson H over Wards Fork Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Thomas Jefferson H over Wards Fork Creek in Charlotte County, Virginia. It was built in 1939, so it is 86 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 1,630 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,732 by 2042. The structure is 83 ft (25.3 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.7 mi (14 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesThomas Jefferson H
CrossesWards Fork Creek
Location0.35 Rt 661 / 0.55 Rt 660
RouteState Highway 47
CountyCharlotte County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.12374, -78.65674
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2024
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 adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating64 US tons
Inventory rating38 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length83 ft (25.3 m)
Longest span28 ft (8.5 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.7 m)
Roadway width23 ft (6.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,630 (2022)
Projected traffic1,732 by 2042
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed8.7 mi (14 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$142.9 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Thomas Jefferson H over Wards Fork Creek built?

It was built in 1939, making it 86 years old in 2025.

What condition is Thomas Jefferson H over Wards Fork 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 October 2024.

How much traffic does Thomas Jefferson H over Wards Fork Creek carry?

About 1,630 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Thomas Jefferson H over Wards Fork Creek?

The structure is 83 ft (25.3 m) long with a longest span of 28 ft (8.5 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns Thomas Jefferson H over Wards Fork Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.