US Bridges

Gretna Road over NS Railroad

Fair

Pittsylvania County, Virginia · 0.16-RT29BUS/0.27-GRETNA · Structure no. 000000000013471

Built
1938
87 years old, rebuilt 1991
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
117 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
3,841
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Gretna Road over NS Railroad is a concrete tee beam carrying Gretna Road over NS Railroad in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. It was built in 1938 and reconstructed in 1991, so it is 87 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 3,841 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 4,283 by 2045. The structure is 117 ft (35.8 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesGretna Road
CrossesNS Railroad
Location0.16-RT29BUS/0.27-GRETNA
RouteState Highway 40
CountyPittsylvania County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.94662, -79.36033
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating61 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length117 ft (35.8 m)
Longest span40 ft (12.2 m)
Deck width26 ft (8 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,841 (2022)
Projected traffic4,283 by 2045
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRailroad
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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$857 million
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Gretna Road over NS Railroad built?

It was built in 1938, making it 87 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1991.

What condition is Gretna Road over NS Railroad 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does Gretna Road over NS Railroad carry?

About 3,841 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Gretna Road over NS Railroad?

The structure is 117 ft (35.8 m) long with a longest span of 40 ft (12.2 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns Gretna Road over NS Railroad?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.