US Bridges

Sbl T. Nelson Hwy. over Dillard Creek

Fair

Nelson County, Virginia · 3.12-RT.56/ 0.04-RT.651 · Structure no. 000000000012397

Built
1928
97 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
32 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
8,282
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Sbl T. Nelson Hwy. over Dillard Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Sbl T. Nelson Hwy. over Dillard Creek in Nelson County, Virginia. It was built in 1928, so it is 97 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 8,282 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 12,093 by 2042. The structure is 32 ft (9.9 m) long and 38 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSbl T. Nelson Hwy.
CrossesDillard Creek
Location3.12-RT.56/ 0.04-RT.651
RouteU.S. Route 29
CountyNelson County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.74033, -78.88997
Functional classRural Principal Arterial - Other

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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionDecember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating50 US tons
Inventory rating30 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length32 ft (9.9 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.1 m)
Deck width38 ft (11.6 m)
Roadway width38 ft (11.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic8,282 (2022)
Projected traffic12,093 by 2042
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

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$694.8 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Sbl T. Nelson Hwy. over Dillard Creek built?

It was built in 1928, making it 97 years old in 2025.

What condition is Sbl T. Nelson Hwy. over Dillard 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 December 2023.

How much traffic does Sbl T. Nelson Hwy. over Dillard Creek carry?

About 8,282 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Sbl T. Nelson Hwy. over Dillard Creek?

The structure is 32 ft (9.9 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a deck 38 ft wide.

Who owns Sbl T. Nelson Hwy. over Dillard Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.