US Bridges

Blue Ridge Parkway over Back Creek & Va Route 61

Fair

Roanoke County, Virginia · 0.2 Miles to Va Route 690 · Structure no. 5140040P0000000

Built
1959
66 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete
Length
301 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
1,061
2012 count
Owner
Federal
National Park Service

About this bridge

Blue Ridge Parkway over Back Creek & Va Route 61 is a prestressed concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Blue Ridge Parkway over Back Creek & Va Route 61 in Roanoke County, Virginia. It was built in 1959, so it is 66 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 1,061 vehicles a day, projected to reach 1,167 by 2032. The structure is 301 ft (91.7 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 26.1 mi (42 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBlue Ridge Parkway
CrossesBack Creek & Va Route 61
Location0.2 Miles to Va Route 690
RouteFederal Lands Road 1
CountyRoanoke County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.19322, -80.00078
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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionJune 2024
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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating37 US tons
Inventory rating22 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length301 ft (91.7 m)
Longest span100 ft (30.5 m)
Deck width33 ft (10 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,061 (2012)
Projected traffic1,167 by 2032
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesHighway and waterway
Detour if closed26.1 mi (42 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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$90,000 (2022 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Blue Ridge Parkway over Back Creek & Va Route 61 built?

It was built in 1959, making it 66 years old in 2025.

What condition is Blue Ridge Parkway over Back Creek & Va Route 61 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 June 2024.

How much traffic does Blue Ridge Parkway over Back Creek & Va Route 61 carry?

About 1,061 vehicles per day (2012 count).

How long is Blue Ridge Parkway over Back Creek & Va Route 61?

The structure is 301 ft (91.7 m) long with a longest span of 100 ft (30.5 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns Blue Ridge Parkway over Back Creek & Va Route 61?

It is owned by the National Park Service.