US Bridges

Poorhouse Road over Big Hounds Creek

Fair

Lunenburg County, Virginia · .5 FR 651 & 1.6 Ncl Kenb · Structure no. 000000000011646

Built
1955
70 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
115 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
773
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Poorhouse Road over Big Hounds Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Poorhouse Road over Big Hounds Creek in Lunenburg County, Virginia. It was built in 1955, so it is 70 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 773 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 878 by 2042. The structure is 115 ft (35.1 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.8 mi (11 km).

Location

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CarriesPoorhouse Road
CrossesBig Hounds Creek
Location.5 FR 651 & 1.6 Ncl Kenb
RouteCounty Highway 653
CountyLunenburg County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.99638, -78.12648
Functional classRural Minor 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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionDecember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating52.8 US tons
Inventory rating40.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 20
Structure length115 ft (35.1 m)
Longest span38 ft (11.5 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.4 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic773 (2022)
Projected traffic878 by 2042
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.8 mi (11 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$229 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Poorhouse Road over Big Hounds Creek built?

It was built in 1955, making it 70 years old in 2025.

What condition is Poorhouse Road over Big Hounds 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 2023.

How much traffic does Poorhouse Road over Big Hounds Creek carry?

About 773 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Poorhouse Road over Big Hounds Creek?

The structure is 115 ft (35.1 m) long with a longest span of 38 ft (11.5 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Poorhouse Road over Big Hounds Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.