US Bridges

Union Bridge Road over Smith River

FairPosted for load

Patrick County, Virginia · 0.0 Patrk Co: 0.0 Frnk CO · Structure no. 000000000013273

Built
1952
73 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
524 ft
6 main spans
Daily traffic
338
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Union Bridge Road over Smith River is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Union Bridge Road over Smith River in Patrick County, Virginia. It was built in 1952, so it is 73 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 338 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 451 by 2042. The structure is 524 ft (159.8 m) long and 22 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 14.9 mi (24 km).

Location

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CarriesUnion Bridge Road
CrossesSmith River
Location0.0 Patrk Co: 0.0 Frnk CO
RouteCounty Highway 623
CountyPatrick County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.84621, -80.10281
Functional classRural Minor Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMarch 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load 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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating36 US tons
Inventory rating21.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans6
Design loadH 15
Structure length524 ft (159.8 m)
Longest span96 ft (29.3 m)
Deck width22 ft (6.6 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic338 (2022)
Projected traffic451 by 2042
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed14.9 mi (24 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$209.7 million (2022 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Union Bridge Road over Smith River built?

It was built in 1952, making it 73 years old in 2025.

What condition is Union Bridge Road 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 March 2024.

How much traffic does Union Bridge Road over Smith River carry?

About 338 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Union Bridge Road over Smith River?

The structure is 524 ft (159.8 m) long with a longest span of 96 ft (29.3 m) and a deck 22 ft wide.

Who owns Union Bridge Road over Smith River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.