US Bridges

Forge Road over Childress Creek

GoodPosted for load

Rockbridge County, Virginia · 0.30 to 680 & 0.60 to 679 · Structure no. 000000000015402

Built
1948
77 years old
Condition
Good
inspected October 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
42 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
611
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Forge Road over Childress Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Forge Road over Childress Creek in Rockbridge County, Virginia. It was built in 1948, so it is 77 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 611 vehicles a day, projected to reach 699 by 2045. The structure is 42 ft (12.8 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesForge Road
CrossesChildress Creek
Location0.30 to 680 & 0.60 to 679
RouteCounty Highway 608
CountyRockbridge County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.68026, -79.44189
Functional classRural Major Collector

Condition and inspection

Good

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating32 US tons
Inventory rating25 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length42 ft (12.8 m)
Longest span40 ft (12.2 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.2 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic611 (2022)
Projected traffic699 by 2045
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$60 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Forge Road over Childress Creek built?

It was built in 1948, making it 77 years old in 2025.

What condition is Forge Road over Childress 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does Forge Road over Childress Creek carry?

About 611 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Forge Road over Childress Creek?

The structure is 42 ft (12.8 m) long with a longest span of 40 ft (12.2 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns Forge Road over Childress Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.