US Bridges

Chatham Road over Little Polecat Creek

Fair

Halifax County, Virginia · 1.00 to 812 - 0.32 to 671 · Structure no. 000000000009350

Built
1938
87 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
43 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,996
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Chatham Road over Little Polecat Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Chatham Road over Little Polecat Creek in Halifax County, Virginia. It was built in 1938, 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 5 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 1,996 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,226 by 2045. The structure is 43 ft (13 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesChatham Road
CrossesLittle Polecat Creek
Location1.00 to 812 - 0.32 to 671
RouteState Highway 57
CountyHalifax County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.78338, -78.99859
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMarch 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating45 US tons
Inventory rating35.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length43 ft (13 m)
Longest span40 ft (12.2 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.7 m)
Roadway width23 ft (7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,996 (2022)
Projected traffic2,226 by 2045
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 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$852 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Chatham Road over Little Polecat Creek built?

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

What condition is Chatham Road over Little Polecat 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 March 2023.

How much traffic does Chatham Road over Little Polecat Creek carry?

About 1,996 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Chatham Road over Little Polecat Creek?

The structure is 43 ft (13 m) long with a longest span of 40 ft (12.2 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns Chatham Road over Little Polecat Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.