US Bridges

Blue Ridge Parkway over Roanoke River and NS RR

Fair

Roanoke County, Virginia · 0.5 Miles to Va Route 618 · Structure no. 5140028P0000000

Built
1963
62 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2024
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel Continuous
Length
1,028 ft
6 main spans
Daily traffic
4,188
2012 count
Owner
Federal
National Park Service

About this bridge

Blue Ridge Parkway over Roanoke River and NS RR is a steel continuous girder and floorbeam system carrying Blue Ridge Parkway over Roanoke River and NS RR in Roanoke County, Virginia. It was built in 1963, so it is 62 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 4,188 vehicles a day, projected to reach 4,607 by 2032. The structure is 1,028 ft (313.3 m) long and 34 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 24.9 mi (40 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBlue Ridge Parkway
CrossesRoanoke River and NS RR
Location0.5 Miles to Va Route 618
RouteFederal Lands Road 1
CountyRoanoke County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.25592, -79.86994
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJuly 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no 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 geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating41 US tons
Inventory rating24 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans6
Design loadH 15
Structure length1,028 ft (313.3 m)
Longest span220 ft (67.1 m)
Deck width34 ft (10.4 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic4,188 (2012)
Projected traffic4,607 by 2032
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesRailroad and waterway
Detour if closed24.9 mi (40 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerNational Park Service
Maintained byNational Park Service
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 Blue Ridge Parkway over Roanoke River and NS RR built?

It was built in 1963, making it 62 years old in 2025.

What condition is Blue Ridge Parkway over Roanoke River and NS RR 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 July 2024.

How much traffic does Blue Ridge Parkway over Roanoke River and NS RR carry?

About 4,188 vehicles per day (2012 count).

How long is Blue Ridge Parkway over Roanoke River and NS RR?

The structure is 1,028 ft (313.3 m) long with a longest span of 220 ft (67.1 m) and a deck 34 ft wide.

Who owns Blue Ridge Parkway over Roanoke River and NS RR?

It is owned by the National Park Service.