US Bridges

Plank Road over Buffalo Creek

Fair

Rockbridge County, Virginia · 1.24 to 753 & 0.06 to 678 · Structure no. 000000000015426

Built
1987
38 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
183 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
204
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Plank Road over Buffalo Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Plank Road over Buffalo Creek in Rockbridge County, Virginia. It was built in 1987, so it is 38 years old, younger 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 204 vehicles a day, projected to reach 227 by 2045. The structure is 183 ft (55.8 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 13 mi (21 km).

Location

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CarriesPlank Road
CrossesBuffalo Creek
Location1.24 to 753 & 0.06 to 678
RouteCounty Highway 610
CountyRockbridge County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.72035, -79.49311
Functional classRural Local

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 protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating73.9 US tons
Inventory rating57 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length183 ft (55.8 m)
Longest span57 ft (17.4 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.4 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic204 (2022)
Projected traffic227 by 2045
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed13 mi (21 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Plank Road over Buffalo Creek built?

It was built in 1987, making it 38 years old in 2025.

What condition is Plank Road over Buffalo 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does Plank Road over Buffalo Creek carry?

About 204 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Plank Road over Buffalo Creek?

The structure is 183 ft (55.8 m) long with a longest span of 57 ft (17.4 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Plank Road over Buffalo Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.