US Bridges

Forest Road over Big Marys Creek

FairPosted for load

Rockbridge County, Virginia · Nature Camp · Structure no. 080805000003086

Built
1934
91 years old, rebuilt 2020
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Culvert
Steel
Length
25 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
50
Owner
Federal
U.S. Forest Service

About this bridge

Forest Road over Big Marys Creek is a steel culvert carrying Forest Road over Big Marys Creek in Rockbridge County, Virginia. It was built in 1934 and reconstructed in 2020, so it is 91 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 5 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 50 vehicles a day, projected to reach 75 by 2045. The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long. If it were closed, the detour would be 620.7 mi (999 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesForest Road
CrossesBig Marys Creek
LocationNature Camp
RouteFederal Lands Road 104A
CountyRockbridge County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.87732, -79.21861
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
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Culvert5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating11.8 US tons
Inventory rating8.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialSteel
DeckNot applicable
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length25 ft (7.6 m)
Longest span0 ft (0 m)
Deck width0 ft (0 m)
Roadway width0 ft (0 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic50 (—)
Projected traffic75 by 2045
Trucks—
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed620.7 mi (999 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerU.S. Forest Service
Maintained byU.S. Forest Service
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Forest Road over Big Marys Creek built?

It was built in 1934, making it 91 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2020.

What condition is Forest Road over Big Marys 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does Forest Road over Big Marys Creek carry?

About 50 vehicles per day (latest count).

How long is Forest Road over Big Marys Creek?

The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long.

Who owns Forest Road over Big Marys Creek?

It is owned by the U.S. Forest Service.