US Bridges

Franklin ST 40 over Tharp Creek

Fair

Franklin County, Virginia · 0.73 Rt 788; 0.60 Rt 892 · Structure no. 000000000007757

Built
1949
76 years old, rebuilt 2021
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
105 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
657
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Franklin ST 40 over Tharp Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Franklin ST 40 over Tharp Creek in Franklin County, Virginia. It was built in 1949 and reconstructed in 2021, so it is 76 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 657 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 733 by 2045. The structure is 105 ft (31.9 m) long and 22 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFranklin ST 40
CrossesTharp Creek
Location0.73 Rt 788; 0.60 Rt 892
RouteState Highway 40
CountyFranklin County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.89615, -80.11379
Functional classRural Major 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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating82 US tons
Inventory rating63.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHL 93
Structure length105 ft (31.9 m)
Longest span42 ft (12.8 m)
Deck width22 ft (6.8 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic657 (2022)
Projected traffic733 by 2045
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Franklin ST 40 over Tharp Creek built?

It was built in 1949, making it 76 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2021.

What condition is Franklin ST 40 over Tharp 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does Franklin ST 40 over Tharp Creek carry?

About 657 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Franklin ST 40 over Tharp Creek?

The structure is 105 ft (31.9 m) long with a longest span of 42 ft (12.8 m) and a deck 22 ft wide.

Who owns Franklin ST 40 over Tharp Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.