US Bridges

Sunset River Road over Lick Creek

Fair

Smyth County, Virginia · 0.9 FR 716; 0.0 to 42 · Structure no. 000000000017571

Built
1932
93 years old, rebuilt 2008
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
36 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
78
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Sunset River Road over Lick Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Sunset River Road over Lick Creek in Smyth County, Virginia. It was built in 1932 and reconstructed in 2008, 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 6 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 78 vehicles a day, projected to reach 87 by 2042. The structure is 36 ft (11 m) long and 22 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

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CarriesSunset River Road
CrossesLick Creek
Location0.9 FR 716; 0.0 to 42
RouteCounty Highway 620
CountySmyth County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.96186, -81.49036
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionAugust 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating58 US tons
Inventory rating34 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length36 ft (11 m)
Longest span32 ft (9.8 m)
Deck width22 ft (6.6 m)
Roadway width21 ft (6.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic78 (2022)
Projected traffic87 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 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 Sunset River Road over Lick Creek built?

It was built in 1932, making it 93 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2008.

What condition is Sunset River Road 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 August 2024.

How much traffic does Sunset River Road over Lick Creek carry?

About 78 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Sunset River Road over Lick Creek?

The structure is 36 ft (11 m) long with a longest span of 32 ft (9.8 m) and a deck 22 ft wide.

Who owns Sunset River Road over Lick Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.