US Bridges

Colonial Parkway over College Creek

Fair

James City County, Virginia · 1.6 Miles South of Va Rou · Structure no. 4290023P0000000

Built
1956
69 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
87 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,183
2022 count
Owner
Federal
National Park Service

About this bridge

Colonial Parkway over College Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Colonial Parkway over College Creek in James City County, Virginia. It was built in 1956, so it is 69 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 1,183 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,420 by 2042. The structure is 87 ft (26.5 m) long and 36 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

CarriesColonial Parkway
CrossesCollege Creek
Location1.6 Miles South of Va Rou
RouteFederal Lands Road 1
Coordinates37.22608, -76.69472
Functional classUrban 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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourCountermeasures installed to correct a previously existing problem
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating54 US tons
Inventory rating32 US tons

Structure

MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length87 ft (26.5 m)
Longest span87 ft (26.5 m)
Deck width36 ft (11.1 m)
Roadway width32 ft (9.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,183 (2022)
Projected traffic1,420 by 2042
Trucks1%
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

OwnerNational Park Service
Maintained byNational Park Service
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$296,000 (2021 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Colonial Parkway over College Creek built?

It was built in 1956, making it 69 years old in 2025.

What condition is Colonial Parkway over College 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 June 2023.

How much traffic does Colonial Parkway over College Creek carry?

About 1,183 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Colonial Parkway over College Creek?

The structure is 87 ft (26.5 m) long with a longest span of 87 ft (26.5 m) and a deck 36 ft wide.

Who owns Colonial Parkway over College Creek?

It is owned by the National Park Service.