US Bridges

Lions Den Road over Dismal Creek

Fair

Giles County, Virginia · 2.4 Mi. N-E ST RTE 671 · Structure no. 080811000003194

Built
1988
37 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
25 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
5
1997 count
Owner
Federal
U.S. Forest Service

About this bridge

Lions Den Road over Dismal Creek is a concrete slab carrying Lions Den Road over Dismal Creek in Giles County, Virginia. It was built in 1988, so it is 37 years old, younger 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 5 vehicles a day, projected to reach 10 by 2010. The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 620.7 mi (999 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesLions Den Road
CrossesDismal Creek
Location2.4 Mi. N-E ST RTE 671
RouteFederal Lands Road 1015
CountyGiles County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.19932, -80.88192
Functional classRural Local

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.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 48 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating43.5 US tons
Inventory rating33.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckOther
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length25 ft (7.6 m)
Longest span24 ft (7.3 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic5 (1997)
Projected traffic10 by 2010
Trucks—
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed620.7 mi (999 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerU.S. Forest Service
Maintained byU.S. Forest Service
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedOther structural work, including hydraulic replacements
Estimated improvement cost$8,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Lions Den Road over Dismal Creek built?

It was built in 1988, making it 37 years old in 2025.

What condition is Lions Den Road over Dismal 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 September 2024.

How much traffic does Lions Den Road over Dismal Creek carry?

About 5 vehicles per day (1997 count).

How long is Lions Den Road over Dismal Creek?

The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long with a longest span of 24 ft (7.3 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Lions Den Road over Dismal Creek?

It is owned by the U.S. Forest Service.