US Bridges

Irish Road over Cove Creek

Fair

Nelson County, Virginia · 1.96-RT. 29/1.47-ALBEMARL · Structure no. 000000000012373

Built
1933
92 years old, rebuilt 2011
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
97 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
2,469
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Irish Road over Cove Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Irish Road over Cove Creek in Nelson County, Virginia. It was built in 1933 and reconstructed in 2011, so it is 92 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.

It carries about 2,469 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,753 by 2045. The structure is 97 ft (29.7 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesIrish Road
CrossesCove Creek
Location1.96-RT. 29/1.47-ALBEMARL
RouteState Highway 6
CountyNelson County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.82843, -78.73488
Functional classRural Major Collector

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.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionFebruary 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating48 US tons
Inventory rating29 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length97 ft (29.7 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.1 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.6 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,469 (2022)
Projected traffic2,753 by 2045
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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$166.5 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Irish Road over Cove Creek built?

It was built in 1933, making it 92 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2011.

What condition is Irish Road over Cove 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 February 2023.

How much traffic does Irish Road over Cove Creek carry?

About 2,469 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Irish Road over Cove Creek?

The structure is 97 ft (29.7 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Irish Road over Cove Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.