US Bridges

Blue Ridge Parkway over Laurel Fork

Fair

Floyd County, Virginia · 1.7 Miles to Va Route 603 · Structure no. 5140054P0000000

Built
1937
88 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
41 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,061
2012 count
Owner
Federal
National Park Service

About this bridge

Blue Ridge Parkway over Laurel Fork is a concrete tee beam carrying Blue Ridge Parkway over Laurel Fork in Floyd County, Virginia. It was built in 1937, so it is 88 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 1,061 vehicles a day, projected to reach 1,167 by 2032. The structure is 41 ft (12.5 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBlue Ridge Parkway
CrossesLaurel Fork
Location1.7 Miles to Va Route 603
RouteFederal Lands Road 1
CountyFloyd County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.77175, -80.40539
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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionJune 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating59 US tons
Inventory rating34.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length41 ft (12.5 m)
Longest span41 ft (12.5 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.2 m)
Roadway width31 ft (9.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,061 (2012)
Projected traffic1,167 by 2032
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerNational Park Service
Maintained byNational Park Service
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$90,000 (2022 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Blue Ridge Parkway over Laurel Fork built?

It was built in 1937, making it 88 years old in 2025.

What condition is Blue Ridge Parkway over Laurel Fork 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 June 2024.

How much traffic does Blue Ridge Parkway over Laurel Fork carry?

About 1,061 vehicles per day (2012 count).

How long is Blue Ridge Parkway over Laurel Fork?

The structure is 41 ft (12.5 m) long with a longest span of 41 ft (12.5 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns Blue Ridge Parkway over Laurel Fork?

It is owned by the National Park Service.