US Bridges

West Midland Trail over Whistle Creek

Fair

Rockbridge County, Virginia · .55 to 669E & .01 to 669 · Structure no. 000000000015218

Built
1928
97 years old, rebuilt 1989
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
61 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
3,262
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

West Midland Trail over Whistle Creek is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying West Midland Trail over Whistle Creek in Rockbridge County, Virginia. It was built in 1928 and reconstructed in 1989, so it is 97 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 3,262 vehicles a day, projected to reach 3,637 by 2045. The structure is 61 ft (18.7 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

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CarriesWest Midland Trail
CrossesWhistle Creek
Location.55 to 669E & .01 to 669
RouteU.S. Route 60
CountyRockbridge County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.80786, -79.47273
Functional classRural Major 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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMarch 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating83 US tons
Inventory rating64 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckOther
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length61 ft (18.7 m)
Longest span58 ft (17.7 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.5 m)
Roadway width25 ft (7.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,262 (2022)
Projected traffic3,637 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 proposedWidening of existing bridge without deck rehabilitation
Estimated improvement cost$165 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was West Midland Trail over Whistle Creek built?

It was built in 1928, making it 97 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1989.

What condition is West Midland Trail over Whistle Creek 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 2023.

How much traffic does West Midland Trail over Whistle Creek carry?

About 3,262 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is West Midland Trail over Whistle Creek?

The structure is 61 ft (18.7 m) long with a longest span of 58 ft (17.7 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns West Midland Trail over Whistle Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.