US Bridges

Plank Road over Bear Element Creek

Fair

Lunenburg County, Virginia · .56 FR 635 & 1. to 642 · Structure no. 000000000011650

Built
1960
65 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
113 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
165
2019 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Plank Road over Bear Element Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Plank Road over Bear Element Creek in Lunenburg County, Virginia. It was built in 1960, so it is 65 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 5 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 165 vehicles a day, projected to reach 238 by 2045. The structure is 113 ft (34.3 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 123.7 mi (199 km).

Location

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CarriesPlank Road
CrossesBear Element Creek
Location.56 FR 635 & 1. to 642
RouteCounty Highway 655
CountyLunenburg County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.83056, -78.22776
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating53.7 US tons
Inventory rating41.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 20
Structure length113 ft (34.3 m)
Longest span37 ft (11.4 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.5 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic165 (2019)
Projected traffic238 by 2045
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed123.7 mi (199 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$236 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Plank Road over Bear Element Creek built?

It was built in 1960, making it 65 years old in 2025.

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 2023.

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

About 165 vehicles per day (2019 count).

How long is Plank Road over Bear Element Creek?

The structure is 113 ft (34.3 m) long with a longest span of 37 ft (11.4 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Plank Road over Bear Element Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.