US Bridges

Fire Tower Road over Pope Swamp

Good

Isle of Wight County, Virginia · 0.35 Miles from Route 646 · Structure no. 000000000031570

Built
2024
1 years old
Condition
Good
inspected June 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete
Length
65 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
491
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Fire Tower Road over Pope Swamp is a prestressed concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Fire Tower Road over Pope Swamp in Isle of Wight County, Virginia. It was built in 2024, so it is 1 years old, younger 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 491 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 540 by 2040. The structure is 65 ft (19.7 m) long and 27 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFire Tower Road
CrossesPope Swamp
Location0.35 Miles from Route 646
RouteCounty Highway 644
CountyIsle of Wight County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.87835, -76.77562
Functional classRural Minor Collector

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 protection9 ExcellentNo problems noted.
Last inspectionJune 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating90.5 US tons
Inventory rating56.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHL 93
Structure length65 ft (19.7 m)
Longest span63 ft (19.3 m)
Deck width27 ft (8.3 m)
Roadway width25 ft (7.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic491 (2020)
Projected traffic540 by 2040
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-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$126 million (2018 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Fire Tower Road over Pope Swamp built?

It was built in 2024, making it 1 years old in 2025.

What condition is Fire Tower Road over Pope 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 June 2024.

How much traffic does Fire Tower Road over Pope Swamp carry?

About 491 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is Fire Tower Road over Pope Swamp?

The structure is 65 ft (19.7 m) long with a longest span of 63 ft (19.3 m) and a deck 27 ft wide.

Who owns Fire Tower Road over Pope Swamp?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.