US Bridges

White Top Road over Big Laurel Creek

Fair

Smyth County, Virginia · 0.01 to 603N;0.07 to 603S · Structure no. 000000000017517

Built
1961
64 years old, rebuilt 1993
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
67 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
831
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

White Top Road over Big Laurel Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying White Top Road over Big Laurel Creek in Smyth County, Virginia. It was built in 1961 and reconstructed in 1993, so it is 64 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 831 vehicles a day, projected to reach 927 by 2045. The structure is 67 ft (20.4 m) long and 29 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 34.8 mi (56 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesWhite Top Road
CrossesBig Laurel Creek
Location0.01 to 603N;0.07 to 603S
RouteCounty Highway 600
CountySmyth County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.67361, -81.61127
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 protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJune 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 rating48 US tons
Inventory rating37 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length67 ft (20.4 m)
Longest span34 ft (10.4 m)
Deck width29 ft (8.8 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic831 (2022)
Projected traffic927 by 2045
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed34.8 mi (56 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was White Top Road over Big Laurel Creek built?

It was built in 1961, making it 64 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1993.

What condition is White Top Road over Big Laurel 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 June 2023.

How much traffic does White Top Road over Big Laurel Creek carry?

About 831 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is White Top Road over Big Laurel Creek?

The structure is 67 ft (20.4 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.4 m) and a deck 29 ft wide.

Who owns White Top Road over Big Laurel Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.