US Bridges

Woolwine HWY/RTE.8 over Smith River

Fair

Patrick County, Virginia · 4.27 RTE.57;1.95 RTE.40 · Structure no. 000000000013193

Built
1932
93 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
66 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
2,109
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Woolwine HWY/RTE.8 over Smith River is a concrete tee beam carrying Woolwine HWY/RTE.8 over Smith River in Patrick 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 2,109 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,352 by 2045. The structure is 66 ft (20.2 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 21.7 mi (35 km).

Location

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CarriesWoolwine HWY/RTE.8
CrossesSmith River
Location4.27 RTE.57;1.95 RTE.40
RouteState Highway 8
CountyPatrick County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.76812, -80.27001
Functional classRural Minor Arterial

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.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionFebruary 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating44 US tons
Inventory rating34 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadH 15
Structure length66 ft (20.2 m)
Longest span31 ft (9.5 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.7 m)
Roadway width23 ft (7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,109 (2022)
Projected traffic2,352 by 2045
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed21.7 mi (35 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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$477 million (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Woolwine HWY/RTE.8 over Smith River built?

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

What condition is Woolwine HWY/RTE.8 over Smith River 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 February 2023.

How much traffic does Woolwine HWY/RTE.8 over Smith River carry?

About 2,109 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Woolwine HWY/RTE.8 over Smith River?

The structure is 66 ft (20.2 m) long with a longest span of 31 ft (9.5 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns Woolwine HWY/RTE.8 over Smith River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.