US Bridges

Iron Clad Road over Bold Branch

PoorPosted for load

Lunenburg County, Virginia · .5 FR 602 & .5 to 620 · Structure no. 000000000011632

Built
1930
95 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected November 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
23 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
14
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Iron Clad Road over Bold Branch is a concrete slab carrying Iron Clad Road over Bold Branch in Lunenburg County, Virginia. It was built in 1930, so it is 95 years old, older than the Virginia average of 50.7 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 14 vehicles a day, projected to reach 16 by 2042. The structure is 23 ft (7.1 m) long and 14 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

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CarriesIron Clad Road
CrossesBold Branch
Location.5 FR 602 & .5 to 620
RouteCounty Highway 638
CountyLunenburg County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.81936, -78.03581
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionNovember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating11 US tons
Inventory rating6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length23 ft (7.1 m)
Longest span23 ft (7.1 m)
Deck width14 ft (4.4 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic14 (2022)
Projected traffic16 by 2042
Trucks0%
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

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$103 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Iron Clad Road over Bold Branch built?

It was built in 1930, making it 95 years old in 2025.

What condition is Iron Clad Road over Bold Branch in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in November 2024.

How much traffic does Iron Clad Road over Bold Branch carry?

About 14 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Iron Clad Road over Bold Branch?

The structure is 23 ft (7.1 m) long with a longest span of 23 ft (7.1 m) and a deck 14 ft wide.

Who owns Iron Clad Road over Bold Branch?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.