US Bridges

Thomas Nelson Hwy. over Muddy Creek

Fair

Nelson County, Virginia · 2.92-RT.29BUS/0.00-RT.775 · Structure no. 000000000012406

Built
1932
93 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
25 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
8,122
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Thomas Nelson Hwy. over Muddy Creek is a concrete slab carrying Thomas Nelson Hwy. over Muddy Creek in Nelson County, Virginia. It was built in 1932, 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 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 8,122 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 11,858 by 2042. The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesThomas Nelson Hwy.
CrossesMuddy Creek
Location2.92-RT.29BUS/0.00-RT.775
RouteU.S. Route 29
CountyNelson County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.80462, -78.86233
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionNovember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
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
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating57 US tons
Inventory rating34 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length25 ft (7.6 m)
Longest span22 ft (6.7 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.1 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9 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 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$590 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Thomas Nelson Hwy. over Muddy Creek built?

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

What condition is Thomas Nelson Hwy. over Muddy 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 2024.

How much traffic does Thomas Nelson Hwy. over Muddy Creek carry?

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

How long is Thomas Nelson Hwy. over Muddy Creek?

The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long with a longest span of 22 ft (6.7 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns Thomas Nelson Hwy. over Muddy Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.