US Bridges

HWY Fifteen over Grassy Creek

Fair

Mecklenburg County, Virginia · 1. FR 721 & 1.15 to 804 · Structure no. 000000000011854

Built
1953
72 years old, rebuilt 2001
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
542 ft
7 main spans
Daily traffic
3,416
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

HWY Fifteen over Grassy Creek is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying HWY Fifteen over Grassy Creek in Mecklenburg County, Virginia. It was built in 1953 and reconstructed in 2001, so it is 72 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 3,416 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 3,809 by 2045. The structure is 542 ft (165.2 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 65.2 mi (105 km).

Location

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CarriesHWY Fifteen
CrossesGrassy Creek
Location1. FR 721 & 1.15 to 804
RouteU.S. Route 15
CountyMecklenburg County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.56749, -78.54444
Functional classRural Minor Arterial

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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionMarch 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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating55.7 US tons
Inventory rating33.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans7
Design loadH 20
Structure length542 ft (165.2 m)
Longest span78 ft (23.8 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,416 (2022)
Projected traffic3,809 by 2045
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed65.2 mi (105 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$175 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was HWY Fifteen over Grassy Creek built?

It was built in 1953, making it 72 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2001.

What condition is HWY Fifteen over Grassy 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 March 2023.

How much traffic does HWY Fifteen over Grassy Creek carry?

About 3,416 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is HWY Fifteen over Grassy Creek?

The structure is 542 ft (165.2 m) long with a longest span of 78 ft (23.8 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns HWY Fifteen over Grassy Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.