US Bridges

Qualla Road over Swift Creek

Fair

Chesterfield County, Virginia · 1.02 FR 654 & 0.50 to 649 · Structure no. 000000000005302

Built
1960
65 years old, rebuilt 2013
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2023
Type
Slab
Prestressed Concrete
Length
146 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
7,288
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Qualla Road over Swift Creek is a prestressed concrete slab carrying Qualla Road over Swift Creek in Chesterfield County, Virginia. It was built in 1960 and reconstructed in 2013, 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 7,288 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 7,374 by 2045. The structure is 146 ft (44.5 m) long and 27 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.1 mi (13 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesQualla Road
CrossesSwift Creek
Location1.02 FR 654 & 0.50 to 649
RouteCounty Highway 653
CountyChesterfield County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.39532, -77.59706
Functional classUrban 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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
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 inspectionMarch 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 geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating71 US tons
Inventory rating54 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckOther
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length146 ft (44.5 m)
Longest span49 ft (14.9 m)
Deck width27 ft (8.2 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic7,288 (2022)
Projected traffic7,374 by 2045
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed8.1 mi (13 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 proposedWidening of existing bridge without deck rehabilitation
Estimated improvement cost$572 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Qualla Road over Swift Creek built?

It was built in 1960, making it 65 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2013.

What condition is Qualla Road over Swift 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 March 2023.

How much traffic does Qualla Road over Swift Creek carry?

About 7,288 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Qualla Road over Swift Creek?

The structure is 146 ft (44.5 m) long with a longest span of 49 ft (14.9 m) and a deck 27 ft wide.

Who owns Qualla Road over Swift Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.