US Bridges

Salem Church Road over Willis River

Fair

Cumberland County, Virginia · 1.45-RT 45/2.00-BUCKINGHA · Structure no. 000000000005754

Built
1963
62 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2024
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
197 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
401
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Salem Church Road over Willis River is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying Salem Church Road over Willis River in Cumberland County, Virginia. It was built in 1963, so it is 62 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 401 vehicles a day, projected to reach 447 by 2042. The structure is 197 ft (60.1 m) long and 27 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 16.2 mi (26 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSalem Church Road
CrossesWillis River
Location1.45-RT 45/2.00-BUCKINGHA
RouteCounty Highway 634
CountyCumberland County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.44011, -78.36089
Functional classRural Minor 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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionDecember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating42 US tons
Inventory rating25 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length197 ft (60.1 m)
Longest span62 ft (19 m)
Deck width27 ft (8.2 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic401 (2022)
Projected traffic447 by 2042
Trucks0%
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$202.7 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Salem Church Road over Willis River built?

It was built in 1963, making it 62 years old in 2025.

What condition is Salem Church Road over Willis River 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 December 2024.

How much traffic does Salem Church Road over Willis River carry?

About 401 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Salem Church Road over Willis River?

The structure is 197 ft (60.1 m) long with a longest span of 62 ft (19 m) and a deck 27 ft wide.

Who owns Salem Church Road over Willis River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.