US Bridges

Lunenburgcountyrd. over Couches Creek

Fair

Lunenburg County, Virginia · .85 FR 754 & .13 to 722 · Structure no. 000000000011562

Built
1981
44 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
188 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
937
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Lunenburgcountyrd. over Couches Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Lunenburgcountyrd. over Couches Creek in Lunenburg County, Virginia. It was built in 1981, so it is 44 years old, younger 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 937 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,005 by 2045. The structure is 188 ft (57.3 m) long and 42 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 42.3 mi (68 km).

Location

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CarriesLunenburgcountyrd.
CrossesCouches Creek
Location.85 FR 754 & .13 to 722
RouteState Highway 40
CountyLunenburg County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.97525, -78.28001
Functional classRural Minor Arterial

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.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating88 US tons
Inventory rating67.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length188 ft (57.3 m)
Longest span85 ft (25.9 m)
Deck width42 ft (12.7 m)
Roadway width38 ft (11.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic937 (2022)
Projected traffic1,005 by 2045
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed42.3 mi (68 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 proposedOther structural work, including hydraulic replacements
Estimated improvement cost$333 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Lunenburgcountyrd. over Couches Creek built?

It was built in 1981, making it 44 years old in 2025.

What condition is Lunenburgcountyrd. over Couches 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 2023.

How much traffic does Lunenburgcountyrd. over Couches Creek carry?

About 937 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Lunenburgcountyrd. over Couches Creek?

The structure is 188 ft (57.3 m) long with a longest span of 85 ft (25.9 m) and a deck 42 ft wide.

Who owns Lunenburgcountyrd. over Couches Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.