US Bridges

Old Wilderness Rd. over Lick Creek

Fair

Smyth County, Virginia · 4.1 to R16-4.2 to Bland C · Structure no. 000000000017405

Built
1954
71 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
49 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
143
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Old Wilderness Rd. over Lick Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Old Wilderness Rd. over Lick Creek in Smyth County, Virginia. It was built in 1954, so it is 71 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.

It carries about 143 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 159 by 2045. The structure is 49 ft (14.9 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 10.6 mi (17 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesOld Wilderness Rd.
CrossesLick Creek
Location4.1 to R16-4.2 to Bland C
RouteState Highway 42
CountySmyth County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.96146, -81.4719
Functional classRural Major Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating51 US tons
Inventory rating30 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length49 ft (14.9 m)
Longest span45 ft (13.7 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.9 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic143 (2022)
Projected traffic159 by 2045
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed10.6 mi (17 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$221 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Old Wilderness Rd. over Lick Creek built?

It was built in 1954, making it 71 years old in 2025.

What condition is Old Wilderness Rd. over Lick 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 May 2023.

How much traffic does Old Wilderness Rd. over Lick Creek carry?

About 143 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is Old Wilderness Rd. over Lick Creek?

The structure is 49 ft (14.9 m) long with a longest span of 45 ft (13.7 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns Old Wilderness Rd. over Lick Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.