US Bridges

Swink Lane over North Buffalo Creek

Good

Rockbridge County, Virginia · 0.01 to 612 & 0.04 to End · Structure no. 000000000015698

Built
1932
93 years old, rebuilt 2019
Condition
Good
inspected June 2023
Type
Slab
Prestressed Concrete
Length
39 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
40
2019 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Swink Lane over North Buffalo Creek is a prestressed concrete slab carrying Swink Lane over North Buffalo Creek in Rockbridge County, Virginia. It was built in 1932 and reconstructed in 2019, 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 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.

It carries about 40 vehicles a day, projected to reach 42 by 2045. The structure is 39 ft (12 m) long and 14 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 198.8 mi (320 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSwink Lane
CrossesNorth Buffalo Creek
Location0.01 to 612 & 0.04 to End
RouteCounty Highway 765
CountyRockbridge County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.74062, -79.58489
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Good

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck9 ExcellentNo problems noted.
Superstructure9 ExcellentNo problems noted.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Operating rating60 US tons
Inventory rating46 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckOther
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length39 ft (12 m)
Longest span17 ft (5.2 m)
Deck width14 ft (4.3 m)
Roadway width11 ft (3.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic40 (2019)
Projected traffic42 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 proposedWidening with deck rehabilitation or replacement
Estimated improvement cost$255 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Swink Lane over North Buffalo Creek built?

It was built in 1932, making it 93 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2019.

What condition is Swink Lane over North Buffalo 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 June 2023.

How much traffic does Swink Lane over North Buffalo Creek carry?

About 40 vehicles per day (2019 count).

How long is Swink Lane over North Buffalo Creek?

The structure is 39 ft (12 m) long with a longest span of 17 ft (5.2 m) and a deck 14 ft wide.

Who owns Swink Lane over North Buffalo Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.