US Bridges

Prison Road over Tobacco Heritage Trail

Fair

Mecklenburg County, Virginia · .55 Dead End & .45 to 58 · Structure no. 000000000011947

Built
1978
47 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
114 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
741
1986 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Prison Road over Tobacco Heritage Trail is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Prison Road over Tobacco Heritage Trail in Mecklenburg County, Virginia. It was built in 1978, so it is 47 years old, younger 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 741 vehicles a day, projected to reach 1,746 by 2040. The structure is 114 ft (34.7 m) long and 38 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 123.7 mi (199 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesPrison Road
CrossesTobacco Heritage Trail
Location.55 Dead End & .45 to 58
RouteInterstate 386
CountyMecklenburg County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.66893, -78.36893
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionAugust 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating72.6 US tons
Inventory rating56 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length114 ft (34.7 m)
Longest span50 ft (15.2 m)
Deck width38 ft (11.5 m)
Roadway width34 ft (10.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic741 (1986)
Projected traffic1,746 by 2040
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesOther
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$239.6 million
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Prison Road over Tobacco Heritage Trail built?

It was built in 1978, making it 47 years old in 2025.

What condition is Prison Road over Tobacco Heritage Trail 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 August 2024.

How much traffic does Prison Road over Tobacco Heritage Trail carry?

About 741 vehicles per day (1986 count).

How long is Prison Road over Tobacco Heritage Trail?

The structure is 114 ft (34.7 m) long with a longest span of 50 ft (15.2 m) and a deck 38 ft wide.

Who owns Prison Road over Tobacco Heritage Trail?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.