US Bridges

Loop Drive over Pitch and Tar Swamp

FairPosted for load

James City County, Virginia · 0.7 Miles from Beginning · Structure no. 4290028P0000000

Built
1957
68 years old, rebuilt 2001
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
102 ft
6 main spans
Daily traffic
320
2007 count
Owner
Federal
National Park Service

About this bridge

Loop Drive over Pitch and Tar Swamp is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Loop Drive over Pitch and Tar Swamp in James City County, Virginia. It was built in 1957 and reconstructed in 2001, so it is 68 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 320 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 352 by 2027. The structure is 102 ft (31.2 m) long and 14 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesLoop Drive
CrossesPitch and Tar Swamp
Location0.7 Miles from Beginning
RouteFederal Lands Road 501
CountyJames City County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.20828, -76.77131
Functional classUrban Local

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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load 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 geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating30 US tons
Inventory rating22 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans6
Design loadH 10
Structure length102 ft (31.2 m)
Longest span17 ft (5.2 m)
Deck width14 ft (4.3 m)
Roadway width13 ft (4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic320 (2007)
Projected traffic352 by 2027
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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$35,000 (2021 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Loop Drive over Pitch and Tar Swamp built?

It was built in 1957, making it 68 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2001.

What condition is Loop Drive over Pitch and Tar Swamp 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 Loop Drive over Pitch and Tar Swamp carry?

About 320 vehicles per day (2007 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is Loop Drive over Pitch and Tar Swamp?

The structure is 102 ft (31.2 m) long with a longest span of 17 ft (5.2 m) and a deck 14 ft wide.

Who owns Loop Drive over Pitch and Tar Swamp?

It is owned by the National Park Service.