US Bridges

Mateer Road over Buffalo Creek

PoorPosted for load

Rockbridge County, Virginia · 0.20 to 251 & 0.30 to End · Structure no. 000000000015571

Built
1932
93 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected July 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
55 ft
6 main spans
Daily traffic
30
2019 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Mateer Road over Buffalo Creek is a concrete slab carrying Mateer Road over Buffalo Creek in Rockbridge County, Virginia. It was built in 1932, so it is 93 years old, older than the Virginia average of 50.7 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 30 vehicles a day, projected to reach 46 by 2045. The structure is 55 ft (16.8 m) long and 12 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 198.8 mi (320 km).

Location

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CarriesMateer Road
CrossesBuffalo Creek
Location0.20 to 251 & 0.30 to End
RouteCounty Highway 670
CountyRockbridge County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.74258, -79.50665
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJuly 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Approach roadway alignment4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Operating rating11 US tons
Inventory rating7.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans6
Design loadUnknown
Structure length55 ft (16.8 m)
Longest span8 ft (2.4 m)
Deck width12 ft (3.6 m)
Roadway width11 ft (3.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic30 (2019)
Projected traffic46 by 2045
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed198.8 mi (320 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$315 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Mateer Road over Buffalo Creek built?

It was built in 1932, making it 93 years old in 2025.

What condition is Mateer Road over Buffalo Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in July 2024.

How much traffic does Mateer Road over Buffalo Creek carry?

About 30 vehicles per day (2019 count).

How long is Mateer Road over Buffalo Creek?

The structure is 55 ft (16.8 m) long with a longest span of 8 ft (2.4 m) and a deck 12 ft wide.

Who owns Mateer Road over Buffalo Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.