US Bridges

Tip Top Road over Wallens Creek

Fair

Lee County, Virginia · .10 FR Rt 612-1.79 TO615 · Structure no. 000000000010879

Built
1932
93 years old, rebuilt 2002
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
74 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
36
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Tip Top Road over Wallens Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Tip Top Road over Wallens Creek in Lee County, Virginia. It was built in 1932 and reconstructed in 2002, so it is 93 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 36 vehicles a day, projected to reach 40 by 2042. The structure is 74 ft (22.6 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesTip Top Road
CrossesWallens Creek
Location.10 FR Rt 612-1.79 TO615
RouteCounty Highway 654
CountyLee County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.62876, -83.12111
Functional classRural 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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
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 adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating56 US tons
Inventory rating43 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length74 ft (22.6 m)
Longest span69 ft (21 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.3 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic36 (2022)
Projected traffic40 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$245 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Tip Top Road over Wallens Creek built?

It was built in 1932, making it 93 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2002.

What condition is Tip Top Road over Wallens 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 September 2024.

How much traffic does Tip Top Road over Wallens Creek carry?

About 36 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Tip Top Road over Wallens Creek?

The structure is 74 ft (22.6 m) long with a longest span of 69 ft (21 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns Tip Top Road over Wallens Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.