US Bridges

Colonial Parkway over Powhatan Creek

Fair

James City County, Virginia · 6.6 Miles South of Va Rou · Structure no. 4290025P0000000

Built
1956
69 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
725 ft
36 main spans
Daily traffic
1,183
2022 count
Owner
Federal
National Park Service

About this bridge

Colonial Parkway over Powhatan Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying Colonial Parkway over Powhatan 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 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 1,183 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,420 by 2042. The structure is 725 ft (221 m) long and 36 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesColonial Parkway
CrossesPowhatan Creek
Location6.6 Miles South of Va Rou
RouteFederal Lands Road 1
CountyJames City County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.22347, -76.7775
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJune 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 geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating41 US tons
Inventory rating24 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans36
Design loadH 15
Structure length725 ft (221 m)
Longest span27 ft (8.2 m)
Deck width36 ft (11 m)
Roadway width32 ft (9.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,183 (2022)
Projected traffic1,420 by 2042
Trucks10%
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$600,000 (2021 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Colonial Parkway over Powhatan Creek built?

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

What condition is Colonial Parkway over Powhatan 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 Powhatan Creek carry?

About 1,183 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is Colonial Parkway over Powhatan Creek?

The structure is 725 ft (221 m) long with a longest span of 27 ft (8.2 m) and a deck 36 ft wide.

Who owns Colonial Parkway over Powhatan Creek?

It is owned by the National Park Service.