US Bridges

Bunker Hill Mill over Buffalo Creek

Fair

Rockbridge County, Virginia · 0.00 to 698 & 0.80 to 795 · Structure no. 000000000015633

Built
1932
93 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
77 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
78
2019 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Bunker Hill Mill over Buffalo Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Bunker Hill Mill 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 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 78 vehicles a day, projected to reach 88 by 2045. The structure is 77 ft (23.6 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesBunker Hill Mill
CrossesBuffalo Creek
Location0.00 to 698 & 0.80 to 795
RouteCounty Highway 700
CountyRockbridge County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.697, -79.44324
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
Deck9 ExcellentNo problems noted.
Superstructure9 ExcellentNo problems noted.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2024
Inspection intervalevery 23 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 adequacy3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating73 US tons
Inventory rating56 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length77 ft (23.6 m)
Longest span34 ft (10.4 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic78 (2019)
Projected traffic88 by 2045
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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$850 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Bunker Hill Mill over Buffalo Creek built?

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

What condition is Bunker Hill Mill 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 2024.

How much traffic does Bunker Hill Mill over Buffalo Creek carry?

About 78 vehicles per day (2019 count).

How long is Bunker Hill Mill over Buffalo Creek?

The structure is 77 ft (23.6 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.4 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Bunker Hill Mill over Buffalo Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.