US Bridges

Beach Road over Swift Creek

Fair

Chesterfield County, Virginia · 0.15 FR 636 & 0.84 to 10 · Structure no. 000000000005309

Built
1972
53 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
175 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
16,227
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Beach Road over Swift Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Beach Road over Swift Creek in Chesterfield County, Virginia. It was built in 1972, so it is 53 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 16,227 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 20,344 by 2042. The structure is 175 ft (53.3 m) long and 34 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 16.2 mi (26 km).

Location

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CarriesBeach Road
CrossesSwift Creek
Location0.15 FR 636 & 0.84 to 10
RouteCounty Highway 655
CountyChesterfield County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.36781, -77.51804
Functional classUrban Minor Arterial

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.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionMay 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
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 adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating73 US tons
Inventory rating56 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length175 ft (53.3 m)
Longest span56 ft (17.1 m)
Deck width34 ft (10.3 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic16,227 (2022)
Projected traffic20,344 by 2042
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed16.2 mi (26 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$357.8 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Beach Road over Swift Creek built?

It was built in 1972, making it 53 years old in 2025.

What condition is Beach 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 May 2024.

How much traffic does Beach Road over Swift Creek carry?

About 16,227 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Beach Road over Swift Creek?

The structure is 175 ft (53.3 m) long with a longest span of 56 ft (17.1 m) and a deck 34 ft wide.

Who owns Beach Road over Swift Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.