US Bridges

Bows & Arrows Road over Ducks Swamp

Good

Isle of Wight County, Virginia · 0.20 Miles from Route 258 · Structure no. 000000000010420

Built
1952
73 years old, rebuilt 2018
Condition
Good
inspected August 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
31 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
636
2017 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Bows & Arrows Road over Ducks Swamp is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Bows & Arrows Road over Ducks Swamp in Isle of Wight County, Virginia. It was built in 1952 and reconstructed in 2018, so it is 73 years old, older than the Virginia average of 50.7 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 8 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 636 vehicles a day, projected to reach 992 by 2045. The structure is 31 ft (9.3 m) long and 18 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBows & Arrows Road
CrossesDucks Swamp
Location0.20 Miles from Route 258
RouteCounty Highway 641
CountyIsle of Wight County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.78434, -76.82597
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating93 US tons
Inventory rating71 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadHL 93
Structure length31 ft (9.3 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.1 m)
Deck width18 ft (5.6 m)
Roadway width15 ft (4.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic636 (2017)
Projected traffic992 by 2045
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 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$81 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Bows & Arrows Road over Ducks Swamp built?

It was built in 1952, making it 73 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2018.

What condition is Bows & Arrows Road over Ducks Swamp in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in August 2023.

How much traffic does Bows & Arrows Road over Ducks Swamp carry?

About 636 vehicles per day (2017 count).

How long is Bows & Arrows Road over Ducks Swamp?

The structure is 31 ft (9.3 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a deck 18 ft wide.

Who owns Bows & Arrows Road over Ducks Swamp?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.