US Bridges

Richmond Hwy. over James River @ Bent Creek

Good

Nelson County, Virginia · 0.00-RT.26 / 0.00-NELSON · Structure no. 000000000012443

Built
1965
60 years old, rebuilt 2024
Condition
Good
inspected July 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
647 ft
6 main spans
Daily traffic
1,667
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Richmond Hwy. over James River @ Bent Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Richmond Hwy. over James River @ Bent Creek in Nelson County, Virginia. It was built in 1965 and reconstructed in 2024, so it is 60 years old, older than the Virginia average of 50.7 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 1,667 vehicles a day, projected to reach 1,859 by 2042. The structure is 647 ft (197.2 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 49.1 mi (79 km).

Location

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CarriesRichmond Hwy.
CrossesJames River @ Bent Creek
Location0.00-RT.26 / 0.00-NELSON
RouteU.S. Route 60
CountyNelson County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.5375, -78.82775
Functional classRural Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJuly 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating68 US tons
Inventory rating52 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans6
Design loadUnknown
Structure length647 ft (197.2 m)
Longest span125 ft (38.1 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.1 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,667 (2022)
Projected traffic1,859 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed49.1 mi (79 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$101.8 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Richmond Hwy. over James River @ Bent Creek built?

It was built in 1965, making it 60 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2024.

What condition is Richmond Hwy. over James River @ Bent Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in July 2024.

How much traffic does Richmond Hwy. over James River @ Bent Creek carry?

About 1,667 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Richmond Hwy. over James River @ Bent Creek?

The structure is 647 ft (197.2 m) long with a longest span of 125 ft (38.1 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns Richmond Hwy. over James River @ Bent Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.