US Bridges

Bear Creek Rd. over Mid Fork Holston River

Fair

Smyth County, Virginia · 0.05-RT.778;0.25-RT.617 · Structure no. 000000000017581

Built
1982
43 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2025
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
96 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
800
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Bear Creek Rd. over Mid Fork Holston River is a concrete slab carrying Bear Creek Rd. over Mid Fork Holston River in Smyth County, Virginia. It was built in 1982, so it is 43 years old, younger 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 800 vehicles a day, projected to reach 1,009 by 2042. The structure is 96 ft (29.3 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.8 mi (11 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBear Creek Rd.
CrossesMid Fork Holston River
Location0.05-RT.778;0.25-RT.617
RouteCounty Highway 622
CountySmyth County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.86661, -81.44189
Functional classUrban 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
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.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJanuary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 12 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 rating99 US tons
Inventory rating98 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length96 ft (29.3 m)
Longest span32 ft (9.8 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.9 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic800 (2022)
Projected traffic1,009 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.8 mi (11 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 Bear Creek Rd. over Mid Fork Holston River built?

It was built in 1982, making it 43 years old in 2025.

What condition is Bear Creek Rd. over Mid Fork Holston River 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 January 2025.

How much traffic does Bear Creek Rd. over Mid Fork Holston River carry?

About 800 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Bear Creek Rd. over Mid Fork Holston River?

The structure is 96 ft (29.3 m) long with a longest span of 32 ft (9.8 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns Bear Creek Rd. over Mid Fork Holston River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.