US Bridges

Hwy. Fifteen over NS Railway

FairPosted for load

Mecklenburg County, Virginia · .63 FR 58 & .93 to 49 · Structure no. 000000000011856

Built
1950
75 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
113 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
4,778
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Hwy. Fifteen over NS Railway is a concrete tee beam carrying Hwy. Fifteen over NS Railway in Mecklenburg 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 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 4,778 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 5,327 by 2042. The structure is 113 ft (34.3 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 31.1 mi (50 km).

Location

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CarriesHwy. Fifteen
CrossesNS Railway
Location.63 FR 58 & .93 to 49
RouteU.S. Route 15
CountyMecklenburg County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.64278, -78.54611
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionFebruary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating26.6 US tons
Inventory rating20.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length113 ft (34.3 m)
Longest span36 ft (11.1 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.4 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic4,778 (2022)
Projected traffic5,327 by 2042
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed31.1 mi (50 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$412 million
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Hwy. Fifteen over NS Railway built?

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

What condition is Hwy. Fifteen over NS Railway 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 February 2024.

How much traffic does Hwy. Fifteen over NS Railway carry?

About 4,778 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Hwy. Fifteen over NS Railway?

The structure is 113 ft (34.3 m) long with a longest span of 36 ft (11.1 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Hwy. Fifteen over NS Railway?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.