US Bridges

River Road over Birch Creek

Fair

Halifax County, Virginia · 1.50-RT 683 / 2.40-RT 691 · Structure no. 000000000009271

Built
1950
75 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
170 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
424
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

River Road over Birch Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying River Road over Birch Creek in Halifax County, Virginia. It was built in 1950, so it is 75 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 424 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 473 by 2042. The structure is 170 ft (51.9 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 9.9 mi (16 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRiver Road
CrossesBirch Creek
Location1.50-RT 683 / 2.40-RT 691
RouteCounty Highway 659
CountyHalifax County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.67209, -79.06123
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionJanuary 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 adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating39 US tons
Inventory rating23 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadUnknown
Structure length170 ft (51.9 m)
Longest span40 ft (12.1 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.2 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic424 (2022)
Projected traffic473 by 2042
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed9.9 mi (16 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 River Road over Birch Creek built?

It was built in 1950, making it 75 years old in 2025.

What condition is River Road over Birch 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 January 2024.

How much traffic does River Road over Birch Creek carry?

About 424 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is River Road over Birch Creek?

The structure is 170 ft (51.9 m) long with a longest span of 40 ft (12.1 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns River Road over Birch Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.