US Bridges

Thomas Nelson HWY over Davis Creek

Fair

Nelson County, Virginia · 2.70-RT.623/0.00-RT.776 · Structure no. 000000000012398

Built
1932
93 years old, rebuilt 1971
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
32 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
8,122
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Thomas Nelson HWY over Davis Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Thomas Nelson HWY over Davis Creek in Nelson County, Virginia. It was built in 1932 and reconstructed in 1971, so it is 93 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 8,122 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 11,858 by 2042. The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesThomas Nelson HWY
CrossesDavis Creek
Location2.70-RT.623/0.00-RT.776
RouteU.S. Route 29
CountyNelson County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.84038, -78.82738
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.
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 inspectionNovember 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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating48 US tons
Inventory rating28 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length32 ft (9.8 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.1 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.8 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic8,122 (2022)
Projected traffic11,858 by 2042
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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$410 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Thomas Nelson HWY over Davis Creek built?

It was built in 1932, making it 93 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1971.

What condition is Thomas Nelson HWY over Davis 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 November 2023.

How much traffic does Thomas Nelson HWY over Davis Creek carry?

About 8,122 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Thomas Nelson HWY over Davis Creek?

The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns Thomas Nelson HWY over Davis Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.