US Bridges

Ebl J. Clayton Hy. over Cow Creek

Fair

Gloucester County, Virginia · 1.7M RTE17-4.6M Mathews C · Structure no. 000000000008523

Built
1938
87 years old, rebuilt 2003
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
38 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
10,624
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Ebl J. Clayton Hy. over Cow Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Ebl J. Clayton Hy. over Cow Creek in Gloucester County, Virginia. It was built in 1938 and reconstructed in 2003, so it is 87 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 10,624 vehicles a day, projected to reach 15,512 by 2042. The structure is 38 ft (11.6 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 16.2 mi (26 km).

Location

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CarriesEbl J. Clayton Hy.
CrossesCow Creek
Location1.7M RTE17-4.6M Mathews C
RouteState Highway 3
CountyGloucester County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.42616, -76.49626
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJuly 2024
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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating63.3 US tons
Inventory rating41.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length38 ft (11.6 m)
Longest span36 ft (11 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.1 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic10,624 (2022)
Projected traffic15,512 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed16.2 mi (26 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$350 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Ebl J. Clayton Hy. over Cow Creek built?

It was built in 1938, making it 87 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2003.

What condition is Ebl J. Clayton Hy. over Cow 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 July 2024.

How much traffic does Ebl J. Clayton Hy. over Cow Creek carry?

About 10,624 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Ebl J. Clayton Hy. over Cow Creek?

The structure is 38 ft (11.6 m) long with a longest span of 36 ft (11 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns Ebl J. Clayton Hy. over Cow Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.