US Bridges

Flat Ridge Rd. over Cress Creek

Fair

Smyth County, Virginia · 1.1 M FR Gr CO-1.6 to 676 · Structure no. 000000000017527

Built
1932
93 years old, rebuilt 2000
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
26 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
261
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Flat Ridge Rd. over Cress Creek is a concrete slab carrying Flat Ridge Rd. over Cress Creek in Smyth County, Virginia. It was built in 1932 and reconstructed in 2000, 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 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 261 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 291 by 2042. The structure is 26 ft (7.8 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 36 mi (58 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFlat Ridge Rd.
CrossesCress Creek
Location1.1 M FR Gr CO-1.6 to 676
RouteCounty Highway 601
CountySmyth County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.75419, -81.38477
Functional classRural Minor 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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionNovember 2024
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 geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating66 US tons
Inventory rating50 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length26 ft (7.8 m)
Longest span24 ft (7.2 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.5 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic261 (2022)
Projected traffic291 by 2042
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed36 mi (58 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 of existing bridge without deck rehabilitation
Estimated improvement cost$119.6 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Flat Ridge Rd. over Cress Creek built?

It was built in 1932, making it 93 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2000.

What condition is Flat Ridge Rd. over Cress 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 November 2024.

How much traffic does Flat Ridge Rd. over Cress Creek carry?

About 261 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Flat Ridge Rd. over Cress Creek?

The structure is 26 ft (7.8 m) long with a longest span of 24 ft (7.2 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Flat Ridge Rd. over Cress Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.