US Bridges

Floyd HWY./RTE.221 over Howells Creek

Fair

Floyd County, Virginia · 0.01 Rt 726; 1.55 Rt 721 · Structure no. 000000000007489

Built
1939
86 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
43 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
3,360
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Floyd HWY./RTE.221 over Howells Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Floyd HWY./RTE.221 over Howells Creek in Floyd 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 3,360 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 4,116 by 2045. The structure is 43 ft (13.1 m) long and 27 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFloyd HWY./RTE.221
CrossesHowells Creek
Location0.01 Rt 726; 1.55 Rt 721
RouteU.S. Route 221
CountyFloyd County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.87593, -80.37469
Functional classRural 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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionMay 2023
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 geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating41 US tons
Inventory rating32 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length43 ft (13.1 m)
Longest span43 ft (13.1 m)
Deck width27 ft (8.1 m)
Roadway width23 ft (7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,360 (2022)
Projected traffic4,116 by 2045
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 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$220.8 million (2022 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Floyd HWY./RTE.221 over Howells Creek built?

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

What condition is Floyd HWY./RTE.221 over Howells 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 2023.

How much traffic does Floyd HWY./RTE.221 over Howells Creek carry?

About 3,360 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Floyd HWY./RTE.221 over Howells Creek?

The structure is 43 ft (13.1 m) long with a longest span of 43 ft (13.1 m) and a deck 27 ft wide.

Who owns Floyd HWY./RTE.221 over Howells Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.