US Bridges

Shula Road over Sycamore Creek

Good

Pittsylvania County, Virginia · 1.20 to 641 - 0.70 to 637 · Structure no. 000000000013572

Built
1932
93 years old, rebuilt 2021
Condition
Good
inspected June 2023
Type
Slab
Prestressed Concrete
Length
32 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
615
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Shula Road over Sycamore Creek is a prestressed concrete slab carrying Shula Road over Sycamore Creek in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. It was built in 1932 and reconstructed in 2021, 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 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 615 vehicles a day, projected to reach 686 by 2045. The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long and 21 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesShula Road
CrossesSycamore Creek
Location1.20 to 641 - 0.70 to 637
RouteCounty Highway 642
CountyPittsylvania County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.05344, -79.33113
Functional classRural Minor Collector

Condition and inspection

Good

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating68 US tons
Inventory rating53 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckOther
Main spans1
Design loadHL 93
Structure length32 ft (9.8 m)
Longest span29 ft (8.9 m)
Deck width21 ft (6.4 m)
Roadway width21 ft (6.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic615 (2022)
Projected traffic686 by 2045
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 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$423 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Shula Road over Sycamore Creek built?

It was built in 1932, making it 93 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2021.

What condition is Shula Road over Sycamore 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 June 2023.

How much traffic does Shula Road over Sycamore Creek carry?

About 615 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Shula Road over Sycamore Creek?

The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long with a longest span of 29 ft (8.9 m) and a deck 21 ft wide.

Who owns Shula Road over Sycamore Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.