US Bridges

Dante Mtn. Road over Buffalo Creek @nora

Good

Dickenson County, Virginia · 4.73 to R83 &0.74 to R652 · Structure no. 000000000005790

Built
1953
72 years old, rebuilt 2011
Condition
Good
inspected May 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
44 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,227
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Dante Mtn. Road over Buffalo Creek @nora is a concrete slab carrying Dante Mtn. Road over Buffalo Creek @nora in Dickenson County, Virginia. It was built in 1953 and reconstructed in 2011, so it is 72 years old, older than the Virginia average of 50.7 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 1,227 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,368 by 2045. The structure is 44 ft (13.4 m) long and 29 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 11.2 mi (18 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesDante Mtn. Road
CrossesBuffalo Creek @nora
Location4.73 to R83 &0.74 to R652
RouteState Highway 63
CountyDickenson County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.07965, -82.34992
Functional classRural Major Collector

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation7: Better than 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 alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating75 US tons
Inventory rating58 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length44 ft (13.4 m)
Longest span40 ft (12.1 m)
Deck width29 ft (8.8 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,227 (2022)
Projected traffic1,368 by 2045
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed11.2 mi (18 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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$158.6 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Dante Mtn. Road over Buffalo Creek @nora built?

It was built in 1953, making it 72 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2011.

What condition is Dante Mtn. Road over Buffalo Creek @nora in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in May 2023.

How much traffic does Dante Mtn. Road over Buffalo Creek @nora carry?

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

How long is Dante Mtn. Road over Buffalo Creek @nora?

The structure is 44 ft (13.4 m) long with a longest span of 40 ft (12.1 m) and a deck 29 ft wide.

Who owns Dante Mtn. Road over Buffalo Creek @nora?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.