US Bridges

Variety Mills Road over Joe Creek

Fair

Nelson County, Virginia · 0.23-RT.626/0.12-RT.825 · Structure no. 000000000012553

Built
1932
93 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2023
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
30 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
173
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Variety Mills Road over Joe Creek is a concrete culvert carrying Variety Mills Road over Joe 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 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 173 vehicles a day, projected to reach 238 by 2045. The structure is 30 ft (9.1 m) long. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesVariety Mills Road
CrossesJoe Creek
Location0.23-RT.626/0.12-RT.825
RouteCounty Highway 655
CountyNelson County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.64464, -78.81505
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionApril 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating99 US tons
Inventory rating99 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length30 ft (9.1 m)
Longest span14 ft (4.3 m)
Deck width0 ft (0 m)
Roadway width0 ft (0 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic173 (2020)
Projected traffic238 by 2045
Trucks0%
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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Variety Mills Road over Joe Creek built?

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

What condition is Variety Mills Road over Joe 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 April 2023.

How much traffic does Variety Mills Road over Joe Creek carry?

About 173 vehicles per day (2020 count).

How long is Variety Mills Road over Joe Creek?

The structure is 30 ft (9.1 m) long with a longest span of 14 ft (4.3 m).

Who owns Variety Mills Road over Joe Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.