US Bridges

Chatham Road over Big Polecat Creek

Fair

Halifax County, Virginia · 0.29-RT 671/1.65-RT 676 · Structure no. 000000000009351

Built
1939
86 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
97 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
1,996
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Chatham Road over Big Polecat Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Chatham Road over Big Polecat Creek in Halifax County, Virginia. It was built in 1939, so it is 86 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 97 ft (29.7 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 13 mi (21 km).

Location

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CarriesChatham Road
CrossesBig Polecat Creek
Location0.29-RT 671/1.65-RT 676
RouteState Highway 57
CountyHalifax County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.78858, -79.00669
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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 protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionMarch 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
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 rating45.6 US tons
Inventory rating35.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length97 ft (29.7 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.1 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 closed13 mi (21 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 proposedWidening of existing bridge without deck rehabilitation
Estimated improvement cost$167.8 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Chatham Road over Big Polecat Creek built?

It was built in 1939, making it 86 years old in 2025.

What condition is Chatham Road over Big 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 Big Polecat Creek carry?

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

How long is Chatham Road over Big Polecat Creek?

The structure is 97 ft (29.7 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns Chatham Road over Big Polecat Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.