US Bridges

Owl Creek Road over Owl Creek

PoorPosted for load

Lunenburg County, Virginia · 1.3 FR 40 & 1.2 to 687 · Structure no. 000000000011672

Built
1950
75 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected September 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
31 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
99
2019 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Owl Creek Road over Owl Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Owl Creek Road over Owl Creek in Lunenburg County, Virginia. It was built in 1950, so it is 75 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 99 vehicles a day, projected to reach 112 by 2045. The structure is 31 ft (9.4 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

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CarriesOwl Creek Road
CrossesOwl Creek
Location1.3 FR 40 & 1.2 to 687
RouteCounty Highway 688
CountyLunenburg County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.0282, -78.41874
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionSeptember 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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating10.4 US tons
Inventory rating8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length31 ft (9.4 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.1 m)
Deck width20 ft (6.1 m)
Roadway width19 ft (5.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic99 (2019)
Projected traffic112 by 2045
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-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$138 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Owl Creek Road over Owl Creek built?

It was built in 1950, making it 75 years old in 2025.

What condition is Owl Creek Road over Owl Creek 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 September 2024.

How much traffic does Owl Creek Road over Owl Creek carry?

About 99 vehicles per day (2019 count).

How long is Owl Creek Road over Owl Creek?

The structure is 31 ft (9.4 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns Owl Creek Road over Owl Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.