US Bridges

Wares Church Road over Dragon Swamp

FairPosted for load

King and Queen County, Virginia · Middlesex-King&queen Line · Structure no. 000000000010595

Built
1953
72 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
86 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
144
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Wares Church Road over Dragon Swamp is a concrete tee beam carrying Wares Church Road over Dragon Swamp in King and Queen County, Virginia. It was built in 1953, so it is 72 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 144 vehicles a day, projected to reach 210 by 2042. The structure is 86 ft (26.2 m) long and 23 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 11.2 mi (18 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesWares Church Road
CrossesDragon Swamp
LocationMiddlesex-King&queen Line
RouteCounty Highway 602
CountyKing and Queen County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.68498, -76.72669
Functional classRural Major 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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionJune 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating41.7 US tons
Inventory rating24.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadH 15
Structure length86 ft (26.2 m)
Longest span43 ft (13.1 m)
Deck width23 ft (7.1 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic144 (2022)
Projected traffic210 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed11.2 mi (18 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Wares Church Road over Dragon Swamp built?

It was built in 1953, making it 72 years old in 2025.

What condition is Wares Church Road over Dragon 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 2024.

How much traffic does Wares Church Road over Dragon Swamp carry?

About 144 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Wares Church Road over Dragon Swamp?

The structure is 86 ft (26.2 m) long with a longest span of 43 ft (13.1 m) and a deck 23 ft wide.

Who owns Wares Church Road over Dragon Swamp?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.