US Bridges

Route 70 over Wallen Creek

Fair

Lee County, Virginia · 5.03 to 58 & 1.85M to 617 · Structure no. 000000000010757

Built
1968
57 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2024
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
42 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
741
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Route 70 over Wallen Creek is a concrete culvert carrying Route 70 over Wallen Creek in Lee County, Virginia. It was built in 1968, so it is 57 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 741 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 756 by 2042. The structure is 42 ft (12.8 m) long. If it were closed, the detour would be 92 mi (148 km).

CarriesRoute 70
CrossesWallen Creek
Location5.03 to 58 & 1.85M to 617
RouteState Highway 70
Coordinates36.64311, -83.07668
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
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionDecember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating49.1 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans4
Design loadHS 20
Structure length42 ft (12.8 m)
Longest span10 ft (3 m)
Deck width0 ft (0 m)
Roadway width0 ft (0 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic741 (2022)
Projected traffic756 by 2042
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed92 mi (148 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 Route 70 over Wallen Creek built?

It was built in 1968, making it 57 years old in 2025.

What condition is Route 70 over Wallen 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 December 2024.

How much traffic does Route 70 over Wallen Creek carry?

About 741 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Route 70 over Wallen Creek?

The structure is 42 ft (12.8 m) long with a longest span of 10 ft (3 m).

Who owns Route 70 over Wallen Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.