US Bridges

Plank Road over Bear Element Creek

FairPosted for load

Lunenburg County, Virginia · 1.5 FR 643 & 0.5 to 635 · Structure no. 000000000011648

Built
1941
84 years old, rebuilt 2013
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
31 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
175
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Plank Road over Bear Element Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Plank Road over Bear Element Creek in Lunenburg County, Virginia. It was built in 1941 and reconstructed in 2013, so it is 84 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 175 vehicles a day, projected to reach 206 by 2045. The structure is 31 ft (9.6 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesPlank Road
CrossesBear Element Creek
Location1.5 FR 643 & 0.5 to 635
RouteCounty Highway 655
CountyLunenburg County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.91128, -78.20161
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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
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 inspectionOctober 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating11 US tons
Inventory rating6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length31 ft (9.6 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.2 m)
Deck width20 ft (6.1 m)
Roadway width19 ft (5.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic175 (2022)
Projected traffic206 by 2045
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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$327 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Plank Road over Bear Element Creek built?

It was built in 1941, making it 84 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2013.

What condition is Plank Road over Bear Element 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 October 2024.

How much traffic does Plank Road over Bear Element Creek carry?

About 175 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Plank Road over Bear Element Creek?

The structure is 31 ft (9.6 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.2 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns Plank Road over Bear Element Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.